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The Florist and pomologist «'^

Robert Hogg

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THE

FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST:

A PICTORIAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE

FLOWERS, FRUITS, AND GENERAL HORTICULTURE.

THOMAS MOORE, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., &c.,

CUBATOB OF THE CUELSEA BOTANIC GARDEN; BDHOR OF *'TnOMr80N*S OARDENBR'S ASSTSTAKT ;'

CO-BDITOR OF "THE GARDENERS* CHRONICLB" AND OF TUB "TREASURY OF BOTANY;"

AUTHOR OF "THE FERNS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND NATURE-PRINTED,"

"INDEX FILICUM," "THE HANDBOOK OF BRITISH FERNS," ETC.

1878.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS BY
MESSRS. KENT & CO., 23 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G.

MDCCOLXITTn.

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. j.L.Ma.-- t'.vl'T- f"

Peach A Bee.

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THE

FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

PEACH

[Plate

|)E are indebted to Mr. Coleman, gar-
dener at Eastnor Castle, for the oppor-
tunity of figuring this very fine early
Peach, from samples sent in June last, accom-
panied by the following note : —

^^ I have forwarded to yoa frait of a most
excellent early forcing Peach, called k Bec,
which I obtained aboat^ fifteen years ago,
through Messrs. Veitch and Sons, from Mr.
Bivers, by whom I believe it was introduced.
I still look upon it as one of the very best
early Peaches we have. The original tree,
lifted »nd. trcmsfen'ed to another part of the
house in October last, is now (June 11) ripening
off a heavy crop of fruit, at the rate of one to
every square foot ; consequently the peaches
are quite 2 oz. lighter than usual. It ripens a
fortnight later than Early Grosse Mignonne, is
equal to Boyal George in flavour, and the tree
is a good grower. H you will place this fruit
before your artist for representation in the
Florist, you will be conferring a boon upon
peach-growers, and the trade, as it is but little
known. I can very strongly reconamend it either
for forcing under glass, or for cultivation on the
open wall."

A BEG.

458.]

The specimens received and represented in the
accompan3ring plate, were of large size, roundish
or rather depressed, somewhat irregular in out-
line, with a shallow suture and littl^^ndication
of a nipple. The skin was a pale straw-yellow,
mottled with two shades of crimson where
shaded, and dark crimson also mottled on the
exposed side, the surface being distinctly downy.
The flesh separates freely from the stone, and is
tender, very juicy and melting, with a sweet
rich and most agreeable flavour, the colour being
white, with a faint tinge of red next the stone,
which latter is small in comparison with the
size of the fruit.

This Peach, which, according to Dr. Hogg,
originated at Ecully, near Lyons, belongs to
the group which produces leaves with round
glands, and flowers of the larger size ; the
fruit, which is tJso large in size, is of flrst-
rate quality. M. Thomas does not mention
it in his recent Ouide Pratique de P Amateur
de Fruits, The synonyms of Pourpree h Bec^
and Mignonne a Bec belong to it. — ^T. M.

HOME-GROWN ORANGES FOR DESSERT.

^^N a recent number of the Florist and
^ |o PoMOLOOiST appeared a coloured drawing
^^^ of the Tangierine Orange, with some notes
on its culture, intended to draw attention to the
pleasure to be derived from being able to pro-
duce home-grown Oranges of excellent flavour
for dessert purposes.

We have grown Oranges in pots, and have
fruited them successfully, for at least a dozen
years. No fruit is more valued, not alone for
its flavour, which has always been superior to
any imported Oranges that could be obtained at
the same time, but because of the interest that
is attached to the trees themselves, loaded as
they are with large fruit almost bursting with
juice — ^indeed, we have had specimens of St.
Michael's that did actually burst. At the
present time, we have a tree of St. Michael's

No. 1. IHPBBIAL SERIES. — XI.

in a 13-inch pot which ripened its fruit —
about four dozen in number — ^in December;
they varied but little in size ; the largest were
8^ in. in circumference, and weighed over 9 oz.
each. This crop of fruit was set before the
whole of the previous one was gathered in March
last. We grow three varieties only, the Tan-
gierine, St. Michael's, and the Maltese Blood*

The culture of these fruits is very simple.
From the time the trees are started in February
tmtil the fruit ripens, as long a period elapses
as is required for a house of Pine-apples or of
Muscat Grapes. The temperature and atmo-
spheric conditions of the Pine house suit the
Orange-trees admirably. Ours are grown on
the back stages in the Pine house, the plants
being in pots of various sizes.

The modus operandi of their culture may be

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THE FLOBIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ JANIJJLBT,

summed up in a few words. A good founda-
tion mnst be laid, by placing the tree in the
right kind of compost. They are not over-
particular as to this, but to do them well, tough,
fibry, yellow loam must be procured from an
upland pasture. It is best to use this before the
fibre is too much decayed ; pull it to pieces by
the hand, and to five-parts of loam add one part
of rotted stable-manvre, and to each barrow-load
an 8-inch pot full of crushed bones. K the
trees are large, inch bones are the best, but for
small trees we prefer the bone-meal or dust
that is sifted through a half-inch sieve. It is
also desirable, though not absolutely necessary
to ensure success, to add a portion of broken
charcoal to the compost. Drain the pots well
by placing clean potsherds at the bottom, and
over them a layer of fibre from which the finer
particles of soil have been sifted ; this is to keep
the drainage perfect, by preventing the finer
particles of the compost from working down
into it. After the tree has bean turned out of
the pot in which it had been growing previously,
with a pointed stick pick out the old material
that had been used for drainage, and most of
the old effete soil. The tree should not be
potted deeper than it had been previously,
and the compost must be pressed firmly
round the ball with a wooden rammer.
After potting the plants must be placed
in a warm house, but it is not well to
water the soil for a day or two, especially
if the roots were not in a very healthy con-
dition at the time of potting. The house may
be kept rather close, and the trees be syringed
imtil the roots begin to work into the new
compost: this care is applicable to summer
potting; inwinteritisunnecessaiy. When the
roots are active and have taken firm hold of
the sides of the pots plentiful supplies of water
are necessary, and the trees ought to bo
syringed well twice daily.

The insect pests that attack Orange-trees are
scale and mealy bug, both of which will thrive
on them. A clammy formation also gathers on
the upper surface of the leaves in consequence
of the presence of scale. To remove them I
do not find any better plan than to wash the
leaves and wood with tepid water in which
soft-soap has been dissolved. The constant
syringing keeps the trees healthy, but this
must be discontinued when the fruit begins to

change for ripening. A rather dry atmosphere
is desirable when the trees are in flower, as the
fruit does not set well in a moist close atmo-
sphere early in the year.

There is another variety of dessert Orange
besides those already named that ought to be
in every collection. It has been grown by
some persons for many years, and when culti-
vated under the best conditions it is superior in
flavour to any other. This is named the Prata
or Silver Orange.

By following the above cultural directions
success will be ensured, and the pleasure to be
derived from successfully cultivating these
fruits is very great. — J. Douglas, Loxford
Hall, llford.

SADLERIA CYATHEOIDES.

ADLERIA is one of the few genera of
Ferns which, though long since known to
botanists, has remained unrepresented in
our living collections till within the last year
or two. Latterly it has been imported in a
living state both by Mr. Bull and Mr. Williams,
and may now be regarded as established in our
gardens. Its native country is the Sandwich
Islands, where two or three forms of doubtful
distinctness occur.

The SoiUei'ia cyatheoidea forms one of the
dwarfer-stemmed of the arborescent ferns, and
is remarkable for its graceful habit, combined
with its stout-textured and somewhat bold and
arching fronds. Mr. Bull's figure, which we
annex, gives a good idea of its elegant style of
growth, the plant represented being not yet
old enough to have formed its stem or trunk.
In its more mature state it has an erect trunk-
like stem of moderate thickness, and some 3 ft.
in height, the crown of which is densely
packed with linear dark-coloured scales, which
also surround the base of the elongated and
arching stipes. The fronds are 4 ft. to 6 ft.
long, with pinnse 8 in. to 12 in. long, and
three-fourths of an inch broad, cut down
to the itichis into numerous linear pinnules
about half an inch long. The fructifica-
tion is that of Blechnum, — that is to say, the
receptacle is central and elevated, and forms a
continuous line close to and on both sides the
midrib of the pinnules, and on this the spore-
cases are seated, each line being covered while

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1878. ]

THE OXTLTUBB OP WALL rBUITS. — CHAPTEB 2UI.

SAOLBBU OTATBBOIDBB.

young by a narrow subcoriaceous indusium.
The yenation, however, is distinct from that of
Blechnum, the veins forming a' series of costal
arches or areoles, from which they extend to
the margin, with which they are connivent.

synonymous names of Blechnum Fontainesianum
and Woodwardia cyatheoides. It is a most wel-
come addition to our cultivated stove Ferns,
being quite distinct in style and character from
any of the dwarfer arborescent species hitherto

The species here referred to bears the known in gardens. — T. Moobb.

THE CULTURE OF WALL FRUITS.
Chaptbe XII. — The Peach and Nectarine {concluded).

)nE preservation of an abundant and
healthy crop of foliage should always
be kept prominently before the mind
of the Peach cultivator, for without it the
production of fine-flavoured fruit in any
quantity can scarcely be hoped for, even
under the most favourable atmospherical
conditions ; but when we come to add to
the inimical influence of inclement weather,
the host of enemies which spring up on every
side to attack and derange its healthy de-

velopment, we may well at times feel rather
discouraged, knowing that when the functions
of the foliage are deranged by the depredations
of the insect tribe to any extent, we may only
expect fi*uit meagre in quantity and inferior
in quality. As, then, the production of frui$
is the very end, aim, and summit of all our
endeavours, it behoves us to take timely measures
to ward off as far as possible those attacks, and
although we cannot always entirely neutralise
their effects, nauch may be done by preventive

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

C JlKUAKT,

measures. For example three very direful
enemies, — ^the mealy bug, red spider, and
mildew — ^may be greatly kept in check, and
their effects neutralised, by one operation care-
fully performed, as soon as the trees are nailed
to the wall in early spring, and before the
buds begin to swell. Thus, take an equal
volume of flowers of sulphur and slacked quick-
lime, say twelve pounds of sulphur ; mix them
together intimately in a dry state, and put them
into a large vessel. For this quantity, dissolve
in boiling water 2 lb. of Gishurst compound,
and when thoroughly dissolved, pour it upon
the lime and solphur, and mix it together;
then run some blue day, with as litUe water
as possible, through a fine brass-wire sieve, to
get rid of all coarse material, such as small
stones and other rubbish, and pour this into
the vessel, and thoroughly mix the whole to-
gether. If too thick for working, add water
until it becomes of the right consistency, but
by no means make it too thin. Let it be as
thick as can possibly be laid on with a large
and fine-haired painter's brush, or a plasterer's
brush— either will do. With this mixture wash
over not only the whole of the branches, but
the wall likewise, as far as the radius of the
branches extends, taking care to fill up all
nail-holes, cracks, and crevices in the walls
with the mixture, and also to see that the
branches are completely smothered. If this is
not effected the first time, go over them a
second time.

The rationale of the operation is this, — the
mixture acts immediately on the mealy bug
by smothering it, and thus the thicker it is
lud on, the better ; but in the case of the red
spider and mildew, the action is prospective.
The large proportion of sulphur in the mixture
will, as the season advances, and the sun acts
upon it, give out a vapour which is inimical
to the growth of the fungus mildew, and
equally so to the spread of the red spider.
This, in most cases, will act efficiently as a
preventive, but as there are some sorts which
are more liable than others to the attacks of
mildew — such, for example, as the Royal
Otorge — I do not hesitate in such cases to
dash a quantity of dry flowers of sulphur on to
the wet mixture as soon as the trees are painted
over ; but after all, this would only be necessary
in extremely obstinate cases, for, as a general

rule, an annual application of the mixture will
quite suffice to keep those three enemies in
check. Its action, moreover, will be very much
assisted by the means which must be adopted
to keep down the other insect tribes, but,
again, in this instance, preventive measures are
infinitely preferable to curative ones.

Under the above routine of painting over the
trees, it is very seldom that aphides will begin
to appear until the trees have made a consider-
able amount of growth, and the temperature of
the atmosphere is considerably raised ; but
long before that time arrives, it will be safe to
commence a systematic course of syrin^g,
which, if followed up, is by far the best pre-
ventive measure which can be adopted, since it
prevents the insects from obtaining a lodgment.
As, however, it is on the tips of the young
growth that they first begin to show them-
selves, it may become necessary to go over
them now and then in very hot weather, and
pinch out those tips and destroy them, which
will enable the wood and foliage below to
harden, and thus become impervious to such
attacks.

It will hence be seen that constant diligence
is necessary, for the vermin multiply during hot
close weather with such rapidity, that if left
alone for a few days the increase is such that
the necessity may arise for the application of
some of those repulsive substances, such as
tobacco-water, snuff, decoctions of quassia
chips, and other insecticides, than which I can-
not imagine anything more undesirable than
to be obliged to syringe them over fruit-trees
in a bearing state, and no exertion by the use
of pure water ought to be spared to avoid the
necessity of having recourse to them.

Before concluding this part of my subject,
and entering on that of the Apricot, I would
impress on the mind of the young Peach culti-
vator the importance of a copious supply of
water to the roots. It is an absolute necessity
to keep the trees in a state of healthy develop-
ment ; it strengthens them to resist the attacks
of insect enemies, and finally enables them to
grow out of their reach. Without it the
operator will fail to find a full response to his
expectations, however great the intelligence
that directs his various manipulations to that
end.— John Oox, Eidleaf.

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1878. ]

NEW BBOCGOLI. — HOUSES V, GOLD FRAMES.

PINKS : THEIR TREATMENT.

I the season is adyanoing when we most
think about filling np the vacancies that
occur in our collections of these f ayourite
flowers, and also decide upon the selection to be
made from amongst the new varieties that are
coming out, a few hints upon the preservation of
the plants during the winter months may not be
nnseasonable or out of place, especially as the
losses have, with very many growers, been
tmprecedentedly great during the past season
or two, in consequence of the excessively moist
weather we have had, combined with frost. I
find that plants, however small, if wintered
in small pots, and planted out (the weather
being favourable) the first week in March, grow
at once vigorously, and produce fine, large,
well-laced flowers ; while the risk which would
be run had they remained in the ground is
obviated. I generally put single plants into
^-inch pots, using a compost moderately rich.
After potting, they should be placed in a cold
frame, giving them plenty of air, and supplying
them with water only when they really need it.
The proper preparation of the bed in which
the plants are to be placed, and to bloom, is of
the greatest importance. It should be trenched
and rotten manure plentifully worked in, and in
addition to this a layer of manure two or
three inches thick may be spread through the
bed at the time of digging, at about 6 in.
below the surface. The good effects of this
treatment will be very apparent in the blooming
season. It is important that the beds should
be considerably raised above the walks, say,
5 in. or 6 in., and if the surface is slightly
rounded, it will serve to throw off the heavy
rains. In planting them finaUy in the bed,
great caie is necessary not to break the ball of
earth surrounding the roots, as this frequently
causes a check which it takes some time to re-
cover. The plants should be placed at about
8 in. from each other every way, taking care to
secure all tall plants that are likely to be in-
jured by the wind. As the soil on the surface
of the bed becomes caked, it should be loosened.
Top-dressing, with good rotten manure, early
in March, will be the means of further in^^
creasing the growth of the plants.

Below I give a list of varieties that I know
are of sterling worth, and any of your readers
who may select from amongst them will not,

I am convinced, be disappointed, since the
following are amongst the best in cultivation,
—via. :

Boiard.

Charles Tamer.

Emerald.

Excelsior.

John Ball.

Mary Ann.

Mrs. Mitchell.

Bosy Gem.

Bertram.

Dr. Masters.

Excellent.

Genevieve.

—John Ball, Slough.

Harry Hooper.

Mrs. Waite.

President.

Beliance.

Blondin.

Device.

Emily.

Godfrey.

Lady Graven.

MrB. Howarth.

Prince F. William.

Victory,

NEW BROCCOLI.

IMONGST the new vegetables exhibited
this season worthy of notice, is (Rough's
Late White Protecting Excelsior Broc-
coli. This variety will prove a dedded acquis!*
tion, being one of the very latest hardy pro-
tectmg Broccolis, and one destined to fill up
the gap between late Broccolis and early Cauli-
flowers, and thus keep up a f uU succession of
this most useful vegetable. The heads grow
from lib. to 16 lb. in weight, and are white
as a Cauliflower, and both firm and compact.—
Edwabd Bsnkbtt, BahUy Nursery^ Herts.

HOUSES V. COLD FRAMES.

)HEN I was a youth, in the days when
heavy Excise duties made the use of
glass impossible, save to the opulent,
florists resorted to many expedients for the pro-
tection of the objects of their care, which, if now
recommended to our notice, would excite a smile
of pity. Wooden shutters were generally adopted
as coverings for pits, and even so late as 1849,
as the importance of light came to be better
though imperfectly understood, recipes for ren-
dering light canvas waterproof and translucent
were again and again asked for, and given in
the pages of garden periodicals.

Of course, as glass became available and
its advantages apparent, wooden shutters
and opaque coverings disappeared, though
to my certain knowledge, not without grave
apprehension and many a shake of the
head from our floral fathers as to the evils
which were to come from treatment so different
to the practice of their lives. In the case of
AuriciQas and Carnations and Picotees, ^^wo

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THE FLOBIST AND ^MOLOGIST.

[ JANUART,

were," it was said, " subjecting the plants to
greenhonse treatment, and that they could not
survire.** Yet they did survive, and even upon
the testimony of the objectors themselves, at-
tained additional stamina^ grace, and beauty.

Time rolled on, and the next step was to
discover the advantage of a covered erection,
not merely for the enjoyment of the bloom, but
for their winter's or summer's sleep, as the
case might be, their growth and development.
In such an erection the '^sunshine of the
master's eye" could be upon them, whilst,
amply ventilated, both the objects of his care
and himself had complete immunity from the
intrusion of frost and the blighting influence
of bitter east wind. It must not be supposed
such an '^ innovation ** was permitted to pass
without a protest ; such an assumption would
exhibit a strange lack of acquaintance with
the tenacity of ignorance. Yet, when Mr.
Homer (whose papers on the cultivation of the
Auricula and whose productions on the exhibi-
tion-table have stamped him as the master
amongst these flowers), wrote in the April
number of the Plobist (1877, 74), first
premising that his plants were in a house :
—''With a good deal of snow, and frost
enough to skate by, March has not been
more like a lion than a Polar bear. The
plants, howevel*, have been growing finely
through it, for t thought it well to take the
chill off those few nights here with their 12^
to 18® of frost, so kept a quiet fire on, which
I only use for Auriculas as an auxiliary for the
outside shading, when that is not protection
enough in sharp spring frosts," it was some-
what surprising to be told by a vmter in the
Journal of Horticulturt that "no Auricula-
grower would, he believed, subject his plants
to a higher temperature than that of an ordi-
nary matted frame (whatever that might be),
infeientially asserting, of course, the supe-
riority of the frame over a well-constructed
house; not so surprising, perhaps, when his
position was traversed, to find him avoiding
discussion, but most surprising of all, to find
in the issue of the same Journal of November
22 the same writer coming out with a full*
blown eulogy of a house, as contrasted with a
Jplt, saying a certain misfortune had induced
him to do what he wondered he had never
done before, " build a low house for his plants,"

so that he "can now get mto it in all weathers,
and give air without any danger of rain beating
in."

I have been led into these remarks by the
remembrance of a very exceUent and elegant
span-roofed pit which I saw at Mr. J. Booth's,
when I was last at Manchester, which had been
specially put up for his fine collection of
Auriculas, and which I was asked to describe.
Its dimensions were^-length, 86 ft. ; width,
8 ft., the lights being so arranged that the
most ample ventilation can be given at all
times without danger from rain or haiL More-
over, shade can be given in summer by attach-
ing Idinds of suitable thickness to the under
side of the lights. A sunken walk down the
middle, 3 ft. below the ground-level, in order
to get head-room, gives easy access to the
plants on either side; and the health and
vigour which these exhibited were the best

=1=

st:

=L:

Mr. BOOTH'S AUEIOULA PiT.

evidence of the suitability of their quarters.
The accompanying figure, drawn to a scale of
one-fourth of an inch to the foot, will give the
xlimensions of the various parts, as well as
convey an accurate impression of the general
character of the structure. The pit is warmed
by two 2 in. hot-water pipes^ — E. S. Dodwbll,

OUK SEASONS.
)HB remark seems prevalent that the
disas1»x>us spring of 1877 will long
be remembered by fruit-growers of
this country, on account of the destruction
of the blossom by fh)8t, and the consequent
loss of fndt for the year. Why this fidlure
should be tnatter for much surprise I fail
to make out, seeing that it is, year after

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1878.]

OUB SEASONS.

year, more the rule than the exception for
us to be minus either of one or other of
the sections of the hardy fruits of this coun-
try. Frequently it is called a " partial failure
of the fruit crops." Bare, indeed, is it for
us to have amongst our hardy froits a red-letter
year — ^that is, a full crop all over ; but when
this does happen, we are so brim full of fruit,
that we forget both the failures and short-
comings of former years, and the fruitful ex-
ception is run away with, as being representa-
tive of our fruit position generally.

With all due respect to some of our southern
counties I fear their claim to be regarded as the
" fruit garden ^ of England must be altogether
set aside, and that we must accept broadly such
countries as Spain, Portugal, France, Turkey, the
United States, and Canada as being the great
orchards for the supply of the English fruit-
market. An abstract from a Blue-Book shows
that the imports of fruits from all countries to
various ports in the British Isles for the year
1876 is £5,666,534. For the same year and
from the same source, the value of imported
grain, meal, flour, &c., is put down at
£51,812,438. Allowing a large margin of the
above fruit value for fruits which we could
not grow in this country under our most
favourable circumstances, there is still ample
room left for industrial exertions applied to the
production of fruit, should the nature of our
climate permit ; but those exertions are followed
by one disappointment after another, these
again by expenditure after expenditure, pro-
nouncing in almost the plainest language which
can be written, that our climate has become
far too uncertain ever to allow England again
to take rank as an out-door fruit-producing coun-
try. Whatever we do, to be depended upon,
must be in a small way under glass, the same
as they do in Sweden : witness the collection
of 4>ears and apples from that country, exhi-
bited the other day at the Crystal Palace.

Our seasons, according to experiences of late
years, are evidently becoming perceptibly de-
teriorated, for similar remarks to those relating
to our failures of fruit, may be applied to
our shortcomings in the production of grain ;
but of this I shall say but little here, beyond
ezpreflsing my decided opinion that the culture
of tiie land, agriculturally speaking, has not
kept pace with the times — witness the filth in

our fields, the tortuous sub-divisions of land by
quick-set hedges, the condition of our highways
and our bywajrs, our ditches, our rivulets, and
our rivers. During wet seasons, such as we are
having, our country may be described as a
country almost under water, and its inhabitants,
developing gradually by force of circumstances,
into amphibious animals. All these are rem*
nants of feudal ages, and until they are swept
froiA off the face of the country, our position,
no matter with what favoured seasons we may
be blessed, will remain the same.

True, we have what is called in this country
mild winters, which might be put down as so
many days, weeks, or months of cold sloppy
weather, intermixed with occasional frosts and
snows, supposing, to begin with, we have not
had a wet, sunless summer and autumn. This
sort of weather often commences in November,
and continues throughout the winter, until
spring, again supposing that we are not
to have a wet spring, followed again by a
wet summer, &c. These climatal conditions,
besides preventing the proper ripening of either
wood or fruit-buds preparatory to the pro-
duction of fruit, also prevent the British farmer
from preparing his land in autumn, or at the
fall, as they do in most other grain-producing
countries. The consequence is, the farmer is
compelled to get on his land by snatches, either
preparing for, or sowing, all through the
autumn, the winter, and the spring, leaving
besides, for the want of the necessary fair
weather to clean it, a large per-centage of land
as dead fallow for the year, and in many in-
stances even for two years. The only thing
which is really done well in this country during
the winter months is fox-hunting ; and should
the seasons continue much longer as they have
been lately, it may soon become a question
whether it might not be advisable to let
the country altogether to companies of fox-
hunters, and hie the British farmer and
gardener farther away to •'fairer fields and
pastures new," for like Cleopatra's Needle,
ttie elements appear to be throwing most of
them on their beam-ends.

For the salubrity of the British Isles it is
said we are much indebted to the famous Gulf •
stream. I fail to note the benefits, seeing that
this ocean current brings to our shores such a
promiscuous mixture of weather, that we can

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THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ jANUAar.

Bcaroely tell for two days together what that
weather is going to be — in summer, whether
it is going to be wet or dry, or frosty ; or in
winter, whether it is going to be white or
black, or hard, or windy. In spring-time, how-
ever, it seldom fails to bring with it as much
frost as to almost totally annihilate our fruit
prospects. I have read somewhere that when
Cousin Jonathan is angry with us, he banter-
ingly threatens to cut off, and so deprive us of
the benefits of the Gulf stream. By all means
let him do so, and by his sweeping away the
narrow countries of Central America, the stream
will pass through and join other currents, to
warm up the Pacific shores of the North
American Continent. They stand in more need
of it than we do, at any rate they possess more
coast line, and according to the laws of
nature, much always wants more : so let it go.
If the presence on our shores of this stream so
frequently deprives us of our apples and our
pears, our plums, our cherries, and our goose-
berries, like a bad shilling, we are better with-
out it. The climate of the British Isles, by
the presence of this stream, is not a natural
one ; it gives us an isothermal line of climate
equal to about 1,200 miles further south on
the continent of North America, without giving
to us their corresponding advantages, for we
ndther enjoy the grandeur of their winters,
nor the grandeur of their summers, or of their
falls. In winter we could but do as they do in
other similar parallels of latitude, where they
have no Gulf-stream, wrap ourselves up in our
furs, occasionally rub our noses, and go sleigh-
ing up and down on the snow and on the ice,
until the arrival of spring, when our presence
would be required amongst our fruit-trees and
in our fields.

Besides the loss of our fruits from these
causes, the same influences too often cause the
loss of our grain. Both have to be supplied
from other countries, countries which in earlier
years, to our shame be it said, were to a great
extent peopled by our exiles, our unpro-
vided - fors, our cast - aways, and our
slaves, who, like Joseph in Egypt, found
more hospitable climes, and who like him,
lived for a time in hardships, tempta-
tions, industry, and plenty, until the oppor-
tunity arrived for them to requite our cruelty
by deeds of kindness. History, it is said,

often repeats itself, and of this, where could
we find a more striking or more convincing
instance than, I may say, in the many circum-
stances of the present day. For instead of
having to pay, as our ancestors had to do in
former days, famine-prices for indifferent food,
we pay for it just as much as the quality of the
article is worth; and like Joseph's brethren,
thanks to those banished exiles, buy to our
certain satisfaction out of the great orchards
and granaries of the world. — William Miller,
Combe Abbey Gardtm.

GOLD-LAOED POLYANTHUSES.

^^T is very satisfactory to note an awakening
^ft interest in the old-fashioned Gold-laced
^"^ Polyanthuses. They have passed through a
time of neglect, but the lamp of their life has not
been wholly extinguished ; and if it has not been
held aloft, it has yet been kept burning, since
a few fiorists here and there have held some of
the fine old named varieties safe to this day.
They are very scarce, but it is something to
know that they are in existence. Twenty years
ago the best-named Gold-laced Polyanthuses in
cultivation were : —

Pearson's Alexandra.
Maund's Beauty of Eng-
land, [vourite.
Sanders' Cheshire Fa-
Huf ton's Earl of Lincoln.
Collier's Princess Eoyal.
Clegg's Ld. John Bussell.
Crenshaw's Exile.
Buck's George IV.
Addis's Elingflsher.

Nicholson's King.
Craiggie's Highland

Mary.
Thompson's Duke of

Northumberland.
Gibbon's Boy al Sovereign
Brown's Bichard Cobden.
Bullock's Lancer.
Hufton's Traveller.
Willison's Lady Milner.

What a possession it would be now to have
a plant each of the foregoing varieties ! I have
been making inquiries on every hand to get
hold of any of them, and I have been success-
ful in obtaining Beauty of England, Cheshire
Favourite, Earl of Lincoln, Exile, George IV.,
Lancer, and in addition. Cox's Eegent, Tele-
graph, William IV., Formosa, Rev. F. D.
Homer (raised, I believe, by David Jackson, of
Middleton, a flower of good properties), and
Hilton's President. I am afraid some of the
varieties enumerated above have become wholly
lost, or if they exist, it seems difficult to get a
clue to their whereabouts. If one would look
for the old named Gold-laced Polyanthuses
anywhere, it would be in the neighbourhood
of Manchester ; but at the exhibition of the
National Auricula Society, at which prizes are

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WH Fitch del Appicot Angoumois Hatif.

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•. r!.A^ riNit \ iN^ - ly •-• mmi:l

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W.H FiUh del. ApiMCOl xAnuv^Uiiiv/... .1.. 1

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1878.]

APRICOT ANGOUMOIS HATIP.— ON PLANTING VINES IN SUMMER.

offered for Polyanthuses, the competition is
confined to George IV., Exile, Cheshire Fa-
vourite, Eer. F. D. Homer, and Hilton's Pre-
sident ; William IV. and Formosa are North
of England flowers, very pretty red-ground
varieties, something in the way of Lancer. I
have obtained George IV. from two sources ;
in one case the plants are of delicate growth,
in the other quite luxuriant ; and I fancy I
note a distinct character in the foliage. I am
hopeful the debility observed in the first case
may be but temporary, and that the plants will
soon grow out of it. I have now a good strong
plant of each in a 48 or 5-in. pot, and I hope
in the spring to be able to set up a group at
one of the meetings of the Eoyal Horticultural
Society. If any reader of the Florist can put
me in the way of getting a few of the varieties
I do not possess, I shall be very grateful to him.
My mode of treatment of these fine Poly-
anthuses is as follows : — The plants are potted
in August, in good auricula soil, but a little
more firmly than I do auriculas ; and they are
then stood under a north wall on a raised bed
of cinder-ashes, being freely watered overhead
in dry weather. At the end of October, when
wet weather sets it, the plants are removed to
a raised frame on the same aspect, and there
they remain till spring, when they are removed
to a cold greenhouse to flower. This house is
a little too sunny to have the flowers in per-
fection long together, and I am on the point of

putting up a north house specially for blooming
Auriculas and Polyanthuses.

The plants are placed out in a well-prepared
bed in a shady spot in the open groimd about
the middle of May, and remain during the
summer. The soil is taken out to the depth of
nine inches, and a layer of cow-dung and fresh
horse-droppings, to the depth of four or five
inches, put at the bottom ; then the soil is
returned, abd the plants are turned out of the
pots, simply removing the crocks at the
bottom of the balls, planted out, pressing the
plants firmly and a little deeply into the soil,
and then top-dressed with a mixture of leaf-
mould and cocoanut-fibre. During the summer,
the plants are kept well watered, especially with
soap-suds on washing days ; and under this
treatment they do remarkably well. The
plants are divided but once in the year, at the
time of potting, when the soil is shaken from
the roots, and the tap-root shortened back ; the
strong plants are put in 48-in. pots, and the
smaller ones into pots appropriate to their
size. At this time of the year and onwards,
green -fly is a little troublesome, but an occa-
sional painting of the under-sides of the leaves
with Fowler's Insecticide is a capital remedy.

I have a few promising seedlings that
bloomed last year for the first time, and I am
hopeful I may secure something nearly if not
quite up to first-class form. — ^Richard Dean,
Ealing, W.

APRICOT ANGOUMOIS HATIF.

[Platb 459.]

DHIS little known Apricot belongs to the
free-stone race with sweet kernels, and
is an early variety, as, indeed the name
Early Anjou implies, ripening about the end of
July; it is also a variety of good quality,
and one which may be recommended to the
notice of fruit-growers.

The fruit is of medium size, roundish-oval,
with a shallow suture, v^ry highly coloured,

the skin being of a deep orange yellow on the
shaded side, and freely spotted and flushed
with purplish-red on the exposed parts. The
flesh is a deep creamy-yellow, juicy, melting,
and briskly flavoured, sugary, and taking on a
fine aroma when highly ripened.

Apricots are especially adapted for orchard-
house culture in pots, and the quality of well-
ripened fruit thus grown is excellent. — ^M.

ON PLANTING VINES IN SUMMEE.

dHE method of having Vines planted
wbile in an active stage of growth has
long been in practice amongst British
gardeners, and has generally been considered a

step in the right direction, a considerable advance
of growth being gained during the first season over
those planted during the resting period. The
greatest drawback to summer planting consisted

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in putting the roots into the soil nearly in the
same condition in which they were when turned
out of the pots, which left them in the coiled-up
state for all time after. Younger plants than
it was otherwise desirable to use were conse-
quently obliged to be taken.

Having had something to do in Vine-planting
during the two past seasons, I have devised a
plan to obviate the evil above-named ; and it
has succeeded so well that I feel induced to
relate it. In the winter of 1875, some old
vines which were not giving satisfaction were
torn out of a vinery here, to make room for
yoimg ones. Owing to unavoidable circum-
stances, the border could not be got ready until
the end of April or beginning of May. It was
therefore decided to grow the Vines on in heat,
and to plant them out in summer. Early
in February I had some boxes made, one for
each plant, of the following dimensions — sides,
4 ft. long; depth, 10 in. ; breadth of end, lOin.
All that was required was to nail a narrow
strip of wood on to the two lower edges, to rest
the cross bottom-pieces of 1 J or 2 inches wide
upon, and another narrow piece on to each end
of the sides, to keep the ends in their places
when filled with soil ; then to put all the pieces
into their places, and fasten both ends by a
double ply of rope-yam, which kept the whole
firmly together. The Vines were then turned
out of their pots, and the soil clean removed ;
a little soil was put into the box, and the plant
placed at one of the ends, the roots being care-
fully spread out over the length of it. The
box was then filled up with soil, well watered,
and removed into a cool place until the time of
starting into growth. At the time of planting
out, an opening was made under the sole-plate
of the house, by removing a few bricks, to give
sufficient room for the vine* to be safely con-
ducted inside. At the same time, the box was
carefully moved forward to its proper place and
depth. The fastening was cut, and one of the

sides taken away, the soil being brought hard
up to the side, so as to prevent the young roots
from getting injured. The two ends were next
removed, and the soil made firm to the ball in
a similar manner, when the remaining side was
lifted away, and the space being dear, the
narrow bottom-pieces are drawn out one by
one. This having been completed, the soil was
carefully packed round the roots, and so little
were they disturbed, that the plants never
showed any signs of suffering from the removal
into their new quarters, not even requiring
shading.

A similar plan was adopted this season with
vines for a new vinery, but instead of the
plants being planted at the ends, they were put
in the centre of each box, while the roots were
extended both ways. The object of this was
to plant the vines so that the roots might
grow inside as well as out, the front wall of
the house being arched for the purpose. The
vines, having grown several feet in length, were
planted into the new-made border on July 2nd,
the soil being taken out sufficiently deep in the
new compost to allow the end of the box to
pass under the arch. This done, the planting
proceeded as in the former case, and although
the days had begun to shorten, and the hot*
water appliances were not in working order
until the end of the first week in August, the
shoots of one of the vines had reached the top
wire of the house, a distance of 22 ft. from the
ground, by September 14th, and nearly eveiy
vine in the house had reached the top before
the end of October, some of them having been
trained along the top wire for a considerable
length, and all lateral growth being encouraged
and tied in, so as to induce root-making to the
fullest extent. Although planted so late in the
season, I do not remember ever previously to
have seen young vines make such rapid progress
during the first year of plantbg. — J. Webstbb,
Gordon Castle,

TWO MONTHS OF CAKNATIONS AND PICOTEES.

WEITER in an early number of the
Journal of Horticulture for 1877 spoke
of the cultivation of the Carnation and
Picotee as involving " forty-nine weeks of trouhh'^
some attentions for three of the enjo3rment of the
bloom.** Paradoxical and most unhappy utters

ancel for when was enjoyment bom of attentions
felt to be " troublesome " ? But let this pass. The
true florist knows nothing of trouble, in the
attentions required by the objects of his devo-
tion ; the measure of his care is the necessity
of his pets, and with him all is undone whilst

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18T8.]

TWO MONTHS OP OAENATIONB AND PICOTEES.

anything remains to be done. Nor is it true
that the fruition of his labours is limited to
three weeks of bloom. In my own case, my
earlier flowers opened in the third week of
June, and I cut a fine specimen of John Keet,
rose-flake, from a late spindle on August 27.
With my friend Mr. Eudd, of Bradford, the
season was even more prolonged ; though I did
not choose the title of this paper to indicate the
results in my own collection merely, but rather
to note that as the swallow follows the
summer, it was my privilege to go in the past
season from bloom to bloom.

My first pilgrimage was to the collections at
Loxford Hall, in the charge of my friend and
f ellow-fiorist, Mr'. Douglas. Up to this time, such
had been the untoward character of the season,
that I must frankly avow I had suffered keen
anxiety for the success of the Aquarium Show,
in the promotion of which I had been made to
bear a prominent part. But my visit to Lox-
ford Hall dispelled all fear. With a rare in- .
telligence and a perseverance only possible to
loving devotion, Mr. Douglas had so used his
opportunities as to bring his flowers to the very
day, — and such flowers I Such size, such sub-
stance, such markings, such brilliant colours
and lovely white grounds 1 memory may recall
and imagination paint their equals, but rarely
is it given to mortal eye to rest upon such
beauty. For two hours, which seemed only
seconds, I paced to and fro with my friend,
now sipping here, now there, until poor, frail
mortality sank almost sated with beauty 1 But
beauty dies not ; as Keats sang, " a thing of
beauty is a joy for ever," and as I journey far
from home, and from the garden, which next
after home lies nearest to my heart, I travel
with an inexpressible delight and a never-
wearying joy from beauty to beauty, enshrined
for ever in that storehouse of compact propor-
tions, but illimitable capacity-^the mind's eye.

On the 18th we had the first great Show of
the season, at the Aquarium. On the 23rd, I
visited the Boyal Nursery, Slough. My own
bloom culminated at the end of the month,
and during the three latter weeks of August I
was in Lancashire and Yorkshire, visiting the
collections of Mr. Gorton on the 15th ; of Mr.
Booth, of Failsworth, on the 18th ; assisting
at the show in Manchester on the 16th, and
again at Bradford on the 22nd; and finally,

visiting the collection of Mr. W. M. Hewitt,
at Chesterfield, on the 24th.

I have thus, I trust, shown cause sufficient
for my title, and so, with my readers' kind
permission, I will endeavour to describe the
results of my observation. I have already
touched upon the rare growth and the ex-
quisite beauty of the flowers at Loxford Hall,
During a long life I have seen many fine dis-
plays of Carnations and Picotees, but never any
finer. Beyond the point attained by my friend
mortal skill cannot go, and even imagination
stands quiescent, for what more of beauty can
be desired ?

Of the Aquarium Show, I will only say it
was worthy the effort made to produce it. The
productions of Mr. Douglas and Mr. Turner
may be equalled, but can never be surpass ed.
To those who may desire to obtain a valuable
lesson in the art of effective setting-up, I sug-
gest they turn to the report of the show (vide
yol. for 1877, p. 186), and copy out the collec-
tions of Mr. Turner and Mr. Douglas in the
open class, commencing at the left and reading
to the right, observing that Mr. Turner's col-
lections, both of Carnations and Picotees, were
displayed on stands of four sixes, whilst Mr.
Douglas showed his in three lines of eight
each. No one who may follow this advice,
and who is moderately familiar with the
characteristics of the fiowers exhibited, can fail
to appreciate the beauty developed, or miss
the artistic lesson conveyed.

Notwithstanding the beauty of the flowers
produced by Mr. Turner on the 18th, the
general collection yet wanted on the 23rd
several days to the height of the bloom. But
the most remarkably feature was the absence,
not absolute but relative, of the grand old
varieties — patriarchs in Carnations, like Curzon,
Milton, Premier, &c. The eye ranged over
hundreds, to note ones and twos only of these
grand old favourites, where in such an ex-
tensive collection twenties and thirties might be
looked for. A brief word of surprise elicited
the reason. So large had been the demand^
that over thirty-two thousand plants had been
sent out from this nursery alone in the previous
season^ and thus the depletion of the stock was
amply accounted for. But what a commentary
on the ignorance — or shall I say innocence? — of
the writer, who also in the Journal of Horti"

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THE PLOEIST AND P0M0L0OI8T.

[ JANUARY,

culture^ at the beginDing of the season, declared :
— " Florists' flowers were liopelessly at a dis-
count in the South 1'* Even whilst this gentle-
man was giving proof of his own strange sim-
plicity, a demand never before exceeded was
exhausting the enormous stocks of the Boyal
Nursery, and highly-respectable firms, unable
to obtain supplies from the usual trade quarters,
were appealing to me for introductions to artisan
cultivators or others who might be able to ap-
pease, though in a small degree, the appetite
existing.

But though I thus remark on the relative
absence of the grand old varieties in Carnations
at the Eoyal Nursery, it must not be assumed
they were not there. In presence indeed they
were, and in many cases in grand character, but
most noticeable were a large number of seed-
ling Picotees from the celebrated raisers, the
Eev. A. Matthews, Eev. C. Fellowes, and Dr.
Abercrombie. Some other varieties also — ^nota-
bly Her Majesty^ medium purple, of the largest
size, and Leah^ heavy purple, originated by Mr.
Addis, of Gospel End by Dudley — attracted my
attention, and pleased my taste. One variety
of Mr. Matthews's, as yet unnamed, much
interested me, being a picotee with a bizarred
edge, bright purple and rose, on a white ground
of exceeding purity. Whether florists may
approve this style I cannot pretend to say,
though I know no reason why they should not.
It is merely enlarging the variety we already
rejoice to possess, and offends no canon of flori-
culture known to me.

Travelling into Lancashire, and thence into
Yorkshire, I found the season, unpropitious
beyond living memory, had mitigated nothing
of its vigour. Heavy rains had fallen through-
out July, but in August it was a continuous
downpour. Yet, and notwithstanding such
dampers to his energy, the florist worked, as
only enthusiastic devoted florists can work, to
develope and preserve their flowers, and weU
were they rewarded I Late as were the days of
show, they were too early in each case for the
localities concerned, and it was palpable that
Mr. Simonite, of Sheffield, the most Southern
of the contributors, had reached the height of
his bloom only on the day selected for the
later situations — ^August 22 — ^whilst gentlemen
like Mr. Lord, of Todmorden, located on the
breezy hill-sides of Yorkshire, though produc-
ing individual flowers of the brightest colours

and highest merit, were unable to make a col-
lection in Carnations requiring even so limited
a number as nine dissimilar varieties.

And now, to avoid repetition, J will as
briefly as possible describe in their several
classes the flowers, both new and old, that
came under my notice, and which I either
grow myself, or desire to grow so soon as they
are accessible.

First, in Scarlet Bizarres, Admiral Curzon^
sometimes called Dreadnought^ was everywhere
good, and Mars^ Mercury^ Sir Jos^h Paxton^
and True Briton should be in every collection.
Of new Scarlet Bizarres, two varieties shown
by Mr. Simonite, one at Manchester on August
16, called Joseph^ and the other at Bradford,
on the 22nd, called Samuel Cooper^ are most
promising, the latter especially so ; and if only
constant, certain to occupy a foremost place, if
not the very first place, in the class.

In Crimson Bizarres, Albion's Pride was
scarcely so good as in the previous year,
showing a slight roughness on the edge, pro-
bably due to the abnormal conditions of the
season ; but in this class there is a grand galaxy
of well-established beauties, in which may be
enumerated Black Diamond^ Captain Stottj
Colonel Norths Eccentric Jack^ Earl Zetland^
Graceless Tom^ Gem^ J, D. Ilextall^ Jenny
Lind^ John Simonite^ Lord Milton^ Lord Bag-
lan^ Marshal Ney^ Rifleman^ and Wwrior. Of
newer varieties, John Harland and William
J/wf7'ay,two varieties originated by Mr. Adams,
of Newcastle-on-Tyne, are very desirable, very
opposite in their respective styles, but very
beautiful. The Rev. Geoi'ge Rudnck (Reeves)
is also good, with the rich, deep colours of
Warrior^ on a better-formed petal, though un-
fortunately, like WanHor^ it is late in its period
of bloom ; and Unexpected (Turner) proved to
be quite a gem, winning the first place at the
Aquarium Show against a fine specimen of iT". D.
HextalL Of varieties not yet in commerce, Mr.
Buttram, of Burgh Mills, Woodbridge, showed
a fine specimen of a variety he has named
Rainbow^ a rosy-crimson, with plenty of bizarre,
very bright and promising ; and Mr. Simonite
had several, some yearlings, and others of
longer standing, which his fellow-florists will
be glad to add to their collections when they
are attainable. Unfortunately, the wet, sun-
less season, conjoined with the murderous in-
fluences of a Sheffield atmosphere, made it
impossible for Mr. Simonite to send any out
this season.

Pink and Purple Bizarres are a limited dass,
but very lovely. Here Sarah Payne^ Falcon*
bridge^ James Taylor^ and Satisfaction (Bower),
were especially good ; and Purity (Wood), though
not new, a variety I noted at the Royal
Nursery, deserves a place in every collection.—

£. S. DODWELL.

{To be continued.)

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1878.]

PHTLLAirrHUS B08E0-PICTUS.

PHYLLANTHUS ROSEO-PICTUS.

i)HIS very elegaDt-habited stove shrubby
plant, introduced from the South Sea
Islands, is referred in gardens to the
genus Phyllanthus^ but its true name, so far as
we know, has not yet been determbed. It is
a deciduous shrub, casting its leaves in winter,
and is of erect bushy habit, with terete stems,
and numerous branches, the branches being
abundantly clothed with bluntish broadly-ovate

leaves nearly an inch in length, and producing
flowers of the inconspicuous character which is
observable in very many plants of the same
order — the Euphorbiacece.

Of this plant three forms or varieties have
been introduced. The first was called Phyllan-
thus nivosus, and in this, which is marked by
snowy variegation, the leaves are more or less
freely mottled with white, which sometimes
extends nearly over their entire surface, and

Phtllanthus
gives a marked character to the plant. The
women of the island of Tanna are said to use
the sprays of its snow-white foliage as a head-
dress, intermingling them with their dark-
coloured tresses. The next introduced was
called Phyllanthus airopurpureus^ which is
chiefly remarkable for its purple stems and
foliage, the leaves, which on their first expan-
sion are dark green, changing, under the infiu-
ence of light, to a rich dark purple hue.

EOSIO-PI0TU8.

The subject of the present note and illustra-
tion, obtained from Messrs. Veitch and Sons,
is the third and by far the most beautiful of
the series. It has the same terete stems, bushy
habit of growth, and bluntly ovate leaves as
the other forms, but " the variegation is ex-
ceedingly rich and varied, both in colour and
form, no two coloured leaves showing precisely
the same markings with like tints. Many of
the leaves are bright crimson, which is also

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THE PL0BI8T AND P0M0L0GI8T,

I Jantart,

the colour of the stems daring the early stage
of growth ; some are a light cream-colour,
tinged with a delicate blush ; others, again,
have a dark bronzy hue shaded with crimson.
Some are dark green, with blotches and spots
of rose, while others are tricoloured, white
with different shades of rose and green. The
blending and intermixture of these pleasing
tint« render this plant very ornamental and
distinct. It will be found invaluable for
cutting sprigs for bouquets." It grows well
in an intermediate stove or warm greenhouse,
and is of such easy culture as to be especially
valuable for decorative purposes.

The plant has been certificated both by the
Eoyal Horticultural and Royal Botanic Socie-
ties. — T. MOOEE.

VILLA GARDENING-JANUARY.

V OW that " another year has dawned upon
the earth," the Villa Gardener will be
anticipating lengthening days, and the
onward progress of that time when March will
come in, lusty and full of life, and there will be
signs of the great awakening in nature which we
term Spring. But there must come the in-
terval of winter — that period of suspense which
has its uses in the vegetable kingdom, as have
the genial rain and beaming sun.

Geeenhouse. — Fire-heat — a gentle warmth,
just enough to be perceptible, and no more —
is now indispensable, if flowers are required for
the festivities consequent on the New Year.
If the sun be warm by day, and the atmo-
sphere genial, give air, but shut up the house
just as the sun declines. Many amateur gar-
deners commit the mistake of keeping up too
much fire-heat, and their greenhouses too close ;
they do not draw a distinction between nip-
ping frost or raw cold damp, and the milder
time when artificial warmth may be subdued
and air given. What a valuable lesson is taught
in the plant-growing nurseries round London,
whose productions go to the flower markets !
Forcing is done largely and rapidly, but always
without that fierce heat employed in some pri-
vate establishments. Nature is assisted by a
kind of gentle pressure, and the plants are so
prepared as that they produce their flowers
immediately, and just when they are wanted.
Amateur gardeners can take a lesson from this.
Another point is to force into flower only such
things as are not difficult to manage. Under this
head may be put Roman and the later- flowering
Hf/acinths^ Narcissi\ especially the early Paper-
widte and the Double Roman varieties.

with the finest-scented Polyanthus Narcissi to
follow ; also AstUhe japonica^ Deutzia gracilis^
Pelargoniums^ Cytisus racemosus^ Bouvca^dias^
Echeveria retusa, Azaleas^ Cyclamens^ Migno'
nette^ Tree Carnations^ and forcing Finks, The
market grower has none of these in a larger size
than the 48 or 5 in. pot. The pots are full of
roots ; water is freely supplied when wanted
but given with care, and a little weak liquid
cow-manure is used as a. gen tie stimulus. A
comfortable equable temperature is maintained,
and everything appears to work together for
good to produce flowers. In the course of the
year a few papers shall be given showing how
to prepare the plants during summer to yield
flowers at mid-winter.

Our Greenhouses require attention at this
season of the year as regards deaiiliness, keep-
ing the glass clean, both at the roof and sides,
80 as to admit the greatest possible amount of
light. Shelves and stands should be kept dean
also ; damp hangs 'about untidiness. A fre-
quent turning round and moving of the plants
not only benefits them, but leads to the dis-
covery of insect pests, and decaying leaves can
be picked off more easily.

Cold Geeenhouse. — So far the weather,
though very dull and wet at times, has been
favourable to the well-being of the plants. Just
•now there is not much in fiower, but as
every blossom is now specially valuable, any-
thing is acceptable that furnishes them. Chrt/*
santhemums hold on ; then there are Primroses
and Polyanthuses (the plants were showing
blossom in the open border, and were lifted and
potted) ; some early-flowering bedding Violas
in pots ; Tropceolum Lohbianum from August-
struck cuttings, and with these are mingled
Solanums^ with bright-looking berri^. Zonal
Pelargoniums have ceased : it is a little too cold
for them. Any plant that is at all tender can be
greatly protected by putting a newspaper over
it and at the sides, and when the frost is
sharp by using a paraffin lamp. The soil about
the plants should be kept drier as the weather
waxes colder, so that any injury from frost
may be lessened as much as possible.

Flower Garden. — The mild weather has been
favourable to planting and all alterations, such
as laying turf, putting in edgings to walks, &o.
In relaying turf, it is well not to take up too
much at one time, lest frost should set in be-
fore it can be relaid, as it then gets spoilt for
use. Any wheeling on garden walks should be
done in frosty weather, or when it is dry and
the crust of the paths hard. After a spell of
frost, or heavy rain, or snow has melted, it is
well to roll the walks and lawns, to keep them
firm and neat. Flower-beds filled with spring-
flowering plants, such as Daisies^ Wallflowers^
Forget-me-Nots^ Violas^ &c., should have the
surface stirred occasionally, and be kept clear of
weeds. Daisies^ being shallow rooters, are apt

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1878.]

NEW BOOKS. — GARDEN GOSSIP.

to be lifted out of the soil by frost, and after a '
thaw should be pressed down firmly into it.
Beds or patches of Hyacinths^ Tulips^ &c., may
have a top-dressing of leaf-mould thrown over
them ; it will tend to ward off the effects of
frost, and make the surface light and open for
the spring growth. Tidiness and order should
not bid neglected in the winter, any more than
in the summer months.

Cold Fbame. — The advice given repeatedly
to keep all plants fairly dry and clean at this
time of the year cannot be too forcibly im-
pressed on the minds of Villa Gardeners ; it
has much to do with safely wintering them.
All cut-back plants may be regarded as at rest,
and it will be an advantage to keep them dry,
not dry enough to starve them, but so com-
fortable as that when frost comes, they will bo
in the least danger of harm. Auriculas should
be dry, both on the foliage and on the surface
of the soil. Pobjanthuses may be kept a little
moister. Carnations and Picoiees in pots will
require but little water, and must have all the
air possible. Have some mats or other covering
ready to spread over the frame when frost
threatens. If green-fly infests the plants, a
little smoke from tobacco-paper will soon get
rid of it. Above all things, keep a dry bottom
to the frame.

Kitchen Garden. — On all favourable opporr
tunities, when the surface of the ground is
drying, and it is not too hard from frost or too
wet from rain, let the necessary digging and
trenching be done. No part of the surface
should remain through the winter in a beaten-
down state, which can be put into the much
more favourable condition which is produced by
its being thrown up roughly. Manure and
leaves should be got together, both for the
general manuring when required, and for
bringing forward Rhubarb^ Seakale^ and such
things. Anything may be done that will give
the garden a neat appearance, and prepare the
way for the active spring work, when the proper
time comes.

Fruit Garden. — Cutrant and Goosebeiri/
bushes may be pruned, and the ground dug
and if necessary manured about them. —
Suburb ANUS.

NEW BOOKS.

3M0NGST useful books recently pub-
lished we should note a new edition of
Sshth's Ferns, British and Foreign
(Hardwicke and Bogue), which was issued during
the latter portion of last year. The work is toler-
ably well known as an authoritative list of garden
ferns, with generic characters and illustrations ;
and the present edition contains an appendix
recording the recent acquisitions. It has the
defect of stereotyped books, namely, that the

additions are printed far away from their allies,
which is an inconvenience in tracing any par-
ticular plant ; and in this case the evil is
aggravated by an ' addenda' to the original work,
besides the more bulky 'appendix.' There
is, besides the enumeration of species, a
considerable amount of information on the
introduction and structure of our cultivated
ferns.

— ZKiTH the Rose Annual for 1877, by
Mr. William Paul, the publication of this useful
work is resumed, and we hope it may hencefor-
ward prove to be a true annual. It gives beautiful
illustrations of four new Roses, including Magna
Oharta, Red Dragon, and Rosy Morn, all H.P.*3
raised at Waltham, and a fine yellow Tea Rose,
called Perle des Jardins. The drawings are
from Mr. Fitch's pencil, and are very character-
istic. There is a variety of useful information
on Roses, Rose-culture, and Rose-shows.

— ®HE Rosarian's Yeae-Book for 1877,
edited by the Rev. H. H. Dombrain (Blackwood),
contains notices of eleven Rose shows and
some half-dozen short articles on Rosology, in-
cluding such subjects as Rose-showing, Rose-
Stocks, Weather of the Rose Year, the Best
Roses, the New Roses of 1877, Tea Roses, &c.
Those who take special interest in Roses will
read it as a duty, since it is a handy record
of some of the Rose lore of the year. The re-
marks on Rose-showing are much to the pur-
pose. Is this the Rose book promised by the
managers of the National Rose Society ?

— ^The Gardeners' Year-Book and
Almanack, 1878, by R. Hogg, LL.D. (171
Fleet Street), is as usual an acceptable reference-
book for the use of gardeners, the most import-
ant of its contents, from a horticultural point
of view, being its descriptive lists of novelties,
and its selections of fruits and vegetables.

— 0F the Album Benary, the 5th part —
Plates 17 to 20 — has just been issued, and
contains excellent chromoliths of Capsicums,
Kohl Rabis, Melons, and Radishes, with the
names of the varieties printed in four lan-
guages. It will form a useful and highly orna-
mental illustrated record of the types of our
garden vegetables at present in cnltivation.

— SbuTTON's Amateurs' Guide in Horti-
culture for 1878 lies before us, and is very
attractive in appearance, in its wrapper of bronze
and gold. It contains much useful gardening
information as well as many illustrations,
besides the catalogue matter which it is its
primary object to circulate.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

DHE Southern Section of the National
Auricula Society has issued a list of the
subscribers for 1877, with a statement of
account showing a balance in hand of 14s. 6d. ; and at

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THE rLOBIBT AXD P0M0LOOI8T.

[ JlNTTAKT,

a meeting held on December 4, these docnments, with
the following resolutions, were directed to be printed
and cii'calated : — " 1. That inasmnch as the causes
which called the Committee into existence remain
in undiminished force, the President, Vice-Presi-
dents, Committee, and Hon. Secretary be requested
to continue their functions. 2. That the subscribers
be gratefully thanked for the handsome support
accorded to the Committee, congratulated on the
beautiful display resulting therefrom on April 24,
and respectfully urged to continue their support
for the following season. 3. That a copy of these
resolutions be fon^'arded to each subscriber, with a
form to be returned to the Hon. Secretary, stating
the amount of subscription such subscriber will be
pleased to accord to the Society." The receipts
were £80 4s. 6d. A report in terms almost identi-
cal with the above was also adopted on account of
the Southern National Oabnation and Picotek
Society, the subscriptions to which amounted to
£89 14s. lOd.. and the balance in hand to £1 lis. 4d.

— 21 MEETING of the National Bose
Society took place on December 6, J. Jowett,
Esq., Hereford, in the chair. A statement of
accounts was laid before the meeting, but owing to
the auditor not having certified to their accuracy,
through the absence of some Touchers, the formal
passing of the balance-sheet was adjourned. The
receipts were returned at £417 128. 4d., including
£302 16s. lOd. donations and subscriptions, and
£67 16s. 6d. .taken at St. James's Hall. The prize-
money paid amounted to £147 10s.; advertising
and bill-posting, £71 7s. 6d. ; printing and stationery,
£67 17s. ; while other items brought the expendi-
ture to £417 88. 2d. The Crystal Palace Company
had, it appeared, offered the committee the sum of
£100, together with the services of their stafF and
exhibition appliances, if the show for 1878 were
taken to Sydenham.

— ®HE Annual Meeting op the Botal

Caledonian Hobtioultubal Society was held

in the Music Hall, Edinburgh, on December 6,

Mr. Thomas Methven in the chair. The receipts
during the past year amounted to £718 14s. Id., in-
cluding £416 16s. for annual subscriptions, £39 4b.
for special prizes, and £214 18s. 6d. for drawings at
the various shows. The expenditure in the same
period was £697 7s. lO^d., which included show ex-
penses to the amount of £256, and prizes to the
value of £362. The balance on the year's transac-
tions was thus £16 6s. 2^.

— JThe graceful Huon Pine {Dacrydium
Franklinii) a very beautiful plant, is growing in
the open air at Longleat, where, says the
Oarderit it is hardy and bears fruit. It has attained a
height of 31 feet, the elegant branchlets being of a
beautiful grass-green.

— Sn the Glasnevin Botanic Garden,
Ousouta beflbxa has recently been very orna-
mental in the open air. This species has long
been a pretty and interesting object in the cool
greenhouse, where it clothed some of the plants with
its pearly necklaces. Last year it occurred to Dr.
Hoore to try it out of doors, and it half clothed a
Forsythia with its pretty bells. During the late
autumn months the flowers were produced in mar-
vellous profusion, in clusters of ten or a dozen, at
short intervals all along the brown, fiddle-string-
like twining stems. Each flower is nearly the size
of, and not unlike in shape, that of the lily of the

valley, and is pleasantly fragrant,
species.

It is a Kepalese

— jSs a means of destroying insect pests
by fumigation, Tebb's Univebsal Fumigatob,
represented in the annexed engraving, may be
recommended as being simple, handy, cheap, safe,

and reliable. It is self-acting, and though light,
sufficiently strong, the parts bemg rivetted together.
The cut sufficiently explains its mode of action. It
will bum any of the preparations of tobacco usually
employed for fumigating purposes, and the materials
used are not liable to burst into fliame, but g^ve oH
dense smoke if the draught is properly regulated.
Full directions for use are given.

— 2lcoOBDiNG to the Irish Farmers* Gazette
the Gbeat Vine at the Vioebbgal Lodge,
Phoenix Park, is at least one of the finest ex-
amples of a single Vine, grown on what is called the
extension system, to be found in these Islands. The
crop last season was the heaviest it has yet matured,
the size and weight of the bunches being beyond
the average ; not a few would turn the scale between
8-lb. and 4-1 b. weight, the general run of bunches
being fully 2-lb. each. The number of bunches
was about five hundred, the heaviest being at the
extreme end of the house, opposite to that at which
the Vine is introduced, and from which rods are
conducted horizontally the entire length of over
70 feet. Nothing could have been more robust,
clean, and healthy than the foliage.

— JThe Gbos Colman Gbape, writes
Mr. Wildsmith, in the Journal of Horticulture^
is a somewhat stubborn Grape to deal with,
and more especially to colour well, but for the last
four years we have had no difficulty in this respect.
We have simply allowed the lateral shoota to ex-
tend themselves as much as possible a week or two
previous to colouring, and when colouring had com-
menced did not remove a lateral from the vine.
This, coupled with a reasonable amount of fire-heat,
I believe to have conduced to perfect finish. Gros
Colman is essentially the market-grower's Grape,
being extraordinarily prolific, of grand appearance,
and when fully ripened a long way above second-
rate in flavour. We have had it in fine condition up
to the end of January, and hope to keep it much
longer this season.

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I Kschscholtzia crocea Mandariii. 2.E c. flore-pleno.

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1878.]

PEACH-OULTUBE ON THE OPEN WALL.

NEW ESCHSCHOLTZIAS.

[Plate 460.]

i^EW of oar hardy annuals, or of the manifold degree.

plants which though treated as annuals

are, strictly speaking, of perennial dura-
tion, are more gorgeous in their floral effects
than the Eachscholtzia califomica^ intro-
duced from Oalifomia, that realm of sun-
shine and flowers, about the year of grace
1826. The original form had yellow blos-
soms, with an orange or saffron-coloured
blotch near the base of each of the four petals
which form the flower. Of this two forms,
reputed species, but, no doubt, wild seminal
rarieties, were introduced in 1833, namely,
E. crocea^ with the flowers wholly saffron-
ooloured, from which our present subjects have
sprung ; and E. campacta^ which differed from
the type only in its closer, denser habit. The
two types, calif omica and crocea, have continued
to be grown to this day, and as already noted,
are amongst the most gorgeous of our hardy
flowers. Several garden varieties which have
been produced, as alba and roseaj were of little
merit beyond curiosity. They were, however,
welcomed as breaks from the original form, and
as happens in many other cases, have led to pro*
ductions of higher value, for we learn from the
handsomely got-up Vade-mecum of Messrs. Carter
and Co., who are the fortunate raisers of the
novelties now figured, that E. Mandarin comes
from roBeOj which they place as a variety of
crooea. It will be seen at a glance that it belongs
to crocea^ from the uniform orange hue of the
interior, but it has the richly-coloured exterior
added, which enhances its pictorial value in a

The double-flowered variety
is also very distinct. Both are decided ac-
quisitions, for which the hearty thanks of those
who are interested in flower-gardens are due to
the raisers.

£. CBOOEA Mandarin (fig. 1) was, as just
stated, selected from rosea (itself a Continental
selection from crocea\ at the St. Osyth seed-
grounds. A plant of E. rosea was some years
since detected with a tendency to assume on the
outside an orange instead of its normal pale rosy
hue, and this was marked and seeded from, and
after a few years' careful selection yielded the
splendid variety called Mandarin, which to the
rich saffron hue of E. crocea^ adds a brilliant
rufous-crimson or blood-orange, as the strik-
ing colour of the outer surface of the flower
has been variously described. A mass of it
must, morning and evening, show a splendid
piece of floral colouring.

E. OBOOEA FLOBE-PLENO (fig. 2) has the
flowers as densely filled as a well-formed double
poppy, and the flowers must, therefore, be more
durable, as double flowers usually are, since the
multitude of petals serve to hold each other
together. This differs from either of the
types in being flaked or striped with yellow
and saffron, as well shown in our flgure 2,
which, as well as fig. 1, has been prepared
from specimens communicated last summer by
Messrs. Carter and Co., the Queen's seedsmen.

It appears that another double-flowered
variety was raised some forty years since, but
it was probably not perpetuated. — ^T, Moobb,

PEACH-CULTURE ON THE OPEN WALL.

NE would suppose that the cultivation
of the Peach on open walls is a
difficult matter, if we were to judge
from the miserable specimens often to be
met with. Some, indeed, go so far as to
say thjtt it is useless to attempt Peach culti-
vation except the walls are covered with
glass. I cannot agree in this opinion, and I
assert that there is no fruit requiring the
assistance of a wall more easily cultivated than
this, or with such certainty of yielding a crop
of fruit year after year, provided a proper
system of treatment be adopted.

No. 2. IHPEBIAL SSBIBB.— >I.

Let us begin with the Border. Even this is
not of so much importance as many persons
suppose. When we consider that the Peach is
always worked on the plum stock, and that the
plum will grow and flourish in almost any soil,
we may be fairly led to suppose that any good
garden soil is suitable for the peach.

I should prefer keeping the roots to within
4 ft. of the wall, trenching the otl^r part of
the border every two years, and cutting away
all roots that enter that part of it where
vegetables are grown, so as to keep the roots
confined to the four-foot space. Of course

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THB FL0BI8T AMD POMOLOOIBT.

[ Februabt,

they will be allowed to extend lengthwise,
where they will have the advantage of warm,
comfortable soil, and be quite under control, so
that the trees may be fed with water or
liquid-manure, as circumstances may require.

In preparing for planting, the border should
be trenched 2 ft. deep and thoroughly drained,
if it is on a strong clay subsoil ; but if it be loose
gravel at the bottom, so much the better, so
long as there is a depth of 2j^ ft. of soil above
it. Make the holes to receive the young trees
4 ft. wide and 1 ft. deep ; tread the bottom of
the hole, and place a layer of half-rotten cow-
manure all over the bottom, and after this a
sprinkling of soil, when the hole will be ready
to receive the tree. Cover the roots with three
or four inches of soil, and then pack round,
near the edge of the hole, more cow-manure ;
tread it down and cover in with soil, and the
work is complete.

After the second year, if any of the trees are
growing too vigorously, or inclined to make
lateral shoots, a trench should be cut out
around them, at about three feet from the
stem, or just outside the bank of cow-manure
that was placed in the hole at the time the
tree was planted. Fill in this trench to within
a foot of the surface, then tread into it a good
layer of manure, and fill up with soil. This
should be done about the end of October or
beginning of November. In after years this
operation should be repeated, if the trees
become over-luxuriant. This may possibly
appear to many persons to be strange advicej
but from the manure being placed close
at home^ as before stated, it will produce the
opposite effect to over-luotniriance^ by in great
measure preventing the roots from running
downwards and across the whole border, the
effect of which latter would be to gorge the
tree with crude sap. On the other hand, by
the treatment here recommended the roots
will fix on the manure with thousands of little
fibrous mouths, and in the end these will be
found to Boiround the tree like a cocoa-nut
mat. It is feeders of this kind Uiat are re-
quired to be developed in all fruit-trees, in
order to produce f mitfolnefls and k>ng6vity.

Itwillpeiiuipsbemore useful totheamateur
and yom^ gardener, if I endeftvoar to point
out some of the cauMi oi failuze is ike colti-
Tation of iho Bdftoh in tkeqpen air^ rafhorthait

attempt to give a detailed account of its cul-
ture, for which I should not now have space.
To begin with young trained trees; when these
are had in from the nursery, they should not be
cut back the first year, but the soft tops merely
should be cut off, or perhaps a shoot shortened
here and there, in order to balance the tree.
It is not an uncommon thing for the shoots to
canker and die off, and often for the trees to
die altogether, when cut back to within a foot
of the stem. The trees will make plenty of
shoots to choose from, to form the future tree
when not cut back.

Then, again, another cause of failure is the
severe way in which disbudding is carried on.
Here I may remark that it is natural for all
trees to shade their main branches ; therefore
it is quite contrary to nature to strip the trees
almost bare. It is reasonable, then, to suppose
that trees growing on a south wall, where the
temperature in May often runs up to 1 20**, should
require all the foliage possible to shade the
branches. To this severe disbudding, together
with the neglect of keeping them free from
green-fly, I attribute the wreck of many Peach
trees; and when the branches are bare, the
sun will do the mischief by burning them.
From this it will at once be seen that it is
absolutely necessary to encourage all the
foliage during the early part of the season,
and disbudding should not be carried on to any
extent till about the first week in June, when
the trees ought to be making free growth and
healthy foliage.

One of the main things to be ever in view is
to keep the trees free from green-fly. These
should be battled with on their first appearance.
To destroy them, there is nothing better than a
wash made of soft-soap, tobacco, and sulphur ;
2 lb. of each will make about 30 gallons ; strain
through canvas, and use with the syringe. This
wash is cheap, effectual, and easily applied,
and will not do the slightest injury eiUier to
the foliage or young fruit.

I have already stated that disbudding or
thinning the shoots should be only partially
carried on before the middle of June, and even
then a sufficient number of shoots to shade the
branches must be retained, leaving the final
flimt^ipg till the time arrives for nailing-in the
young growth, whkh should not be proceeded
with earlier than July. The sbooti should bo

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1878.]

TWO MONTHS OF 0ABNATI0N8 AND PIOOTEBB.

left to grow at will until that time, except in
the case of leading shoots, which may be nailed-
in to prevent them from being broken by the
wind.

In regard to the quantity of fruit a tree
ought to carry, much will depend on its strength
and condition. A tree in perfect health,
covering a hundred superficial feet of wall,
should bring to maturity eight or nine dozen
of fruit of the finest quality, and so on, according
to the space covered.

The trees may be syringed occasionally in
the early part of the season, to cleanse them
after the fruit is set, but on no account let
much water touch the roots till July. If the
weather be dry after that time, the application
of water and liquid manure and mulching the
borders would be beneficial ; and when the
fruit begins the second swelling, the trees
should be syringed every evening in dry
weather, this S3rringing being continued up to
the time the fruit approaches maturity.

As soon as the crop of fruit is gathered, the
trees should be gone over, and every useless
shoot cut out, so as to expose the wood re-
quired for the next year to air and light. On
getting the wood ripe and well hardened de-*
pends in a great measure the success of the
following season.

I have thus far referred to the good and
ill of Peach culture, and perhaps a word as
to the best varieties for out-door culture would
not be out of place. Many kinds are so subject
to mildew and green-fly, that it is a great trouble
to keep them in health, and for this reason
they ought not to be planted; all such are
easily known by their serrated or deeply-cut
leaf. The following are among the best for
open walls, and have the leaves smooth, or but
slightly serrated : — ^Early Victoria, Grosse Mig-
nonne, Bellegarde, Premier, Stirling Castle, Vio-
lette H&tive, Buckingham Mignonne, George the
Fourth, Lord Palmerston, Walburton Admirable,
and Late Admirable. The above-named varie-
ties, together with the Salway Peach, would
keep up a supply from the beginning of August
till the end of October. Among Nectarines,
Violette Hative, Oldenberg, Murrey, Elruge,
Lord Napier, Pine-apple, and Prince of Wales
are among the best for out-door culture.

I am an advocate for protection in the
spring, bat thit should be fitted up in suoh a

way that it can be easily removed in the day«
time. Nothing can be better than canvas on
rollers. I prefer it to any other covering, and
it is both cheap and durable. — J. Powell,
Royal Gardens^ Frogmore,

TWO MONTHS OF CARNATIONS
AND PICOTEES.

(Concluded from pagt 12.J
(^N Purple Plakes, Jamea Douglas (8imon«
^|6 ite), a large variety, combining the
^^^ characteristics of Juno and Mayor of
Noiiingham^ though with more substance
of petal than the former, with an especially
bright light purple, well maintained the
high character with which it was intro-
duced to the floral public ; and Dr, Foster^
Earl of Wilton^ JunOj Mayor of Notting'
ham (albeit, the earlier blooms of this variety
were somewhat overcharged with colour).
Premier^ Squire Meynell^ Squire Trow^nndi True
Blue^ were good everywhere. A new variety,
a sport from Sarah Payne^ called Sporting
Lass^ was very chaste ; but beyond all else, a
variety, Florence Nightingale (Sealey) I had
grown for the first time, though I believe not
new, most pleased me. It was unique in its
rich imperial purple, and lustrous white groxmd,
and fine indeed both as a self and in its more
elevated, variegated character.

In Scarlet Flakes, everywhere I found fine
examples of Annihilator^ Clipper^ James Cheet-
ham^ John Bayley^ and Sportsman^ the latter
being especially &ie. In this class I have
notes of seedlings shown by Mr. Buttram, of
Burgh Mills, Mr. Jonathan Booth, of Failsworth,
and Mr. Simonite, of Sheffield, but in each
case I reserve an expression of opinion for
further observation.

Of the old, well-established Rose Flakes grand
examples of James Merryweather^ John Keet^
Lovely Ann^ Rose of Stapleford^ and Sihyl
abounded, the latter having been produced at
the Aquarium Show in a state never possible
to be surpassed ; whilst of varieties not as yet
generally grown I saw beautiful specimens of
Cleopatra (Hartley), Cristagalli (Whittaker),
James Carter (Adams), Mary Ann (Flet-
cher), Mrs, Dodwell (Lord), Mrs. Hurst
(Ingram), Mr, Findlay (Simonite), Queen Boa*
dicea (Empsall), Samuel Newman (Hooper), and
Uncle Tom (Branama), the latter old indeed,
but yet good. Samuel Newman^ as shown by
Mr. Douglas, was exquisitely beautiful, but I
fear its colour is too pale ever to be good, save
in exceptionally favourable situations, such as
Slough and Loxford Hall. I have nothing to
recall of anything I have written of the Oar-
nation and Picotee as suitable subjects for the

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THB FL0BI8T AND POMOLOOIST.

[ FUKUABT,

sabnrban culiiyator. For, as my own experi-
ence testifies, they will not merely grow, but
flooiisli, and reward tlie coltiyator with flowers
of exquisite beauty, where other tribes die or
dwindle ; but it must not be supposed the same
delicacy of colour or purity of ground can be
attained in the dry and dusty, if not grimy
and smoky, atmosphere of a great city, which
will be, of course, in the pure, sweet air of
the open country. This was a matter well
understood by our florist fathers, who invari-
ably in their competitions provided a special
class for their less favoured fellow-cultivators.

In Picotees, Bed-edged, of old varieties, the
following were especijJly good : — Countess of
WiltOHy J". B, Bryant^ John Smith, Miss Smalls
Mrs. Bower^ Mrs. Dodwell (this latter so
grand at Bradford, that it was only by one
vote Zerlina won the premier place), Peeress,
Princess of Wales^ Rev. F. D. Horner^ Robert
Scotty and Wm. Summers. Of flowers new to
me, Thomas William (Flowdy), light-edge, was
everything that a light-edged I^cotee should
be, and will worthily compare with the grand
trio of Mr. Simonite's in this class — unfor-
tunately, such is the depleting influence of the
Sheffield atmosphere, not yet accessible to his
brother florists. In the heavy-edged dass, Mrs.
Fuller (the origin of which is unknown, but
which has been brought into special prominence
by its fine growth in the collection of Bichard
Gorton, Esq.), was very fine; and a variety
of the late Mr. Norman's, called Master
Norman^ a very broad-edged heavy of a
peculiar tint of colour, a repeat in the red
edges of John Delaforce^ by the same raiser, in
the heavy-edged purple class, is a grand break,
not merely to be valued for itself, but for that
it may be expected to produce. Unfortunately,
it appears to be a very shy rooter. To these, in
my own collection I have added Morna and
Miss Frowd^ both productions of the Bev. 0.
Fellowes.

Purple Picotees are a large and varied dass,
and amongst these I saw everywhere fine
flowers of Alliance (heavy), Ann Lord (Vi^i)^
Alice J Chanticleer J Cynthia^ Jessie^ Mary^ Mrs.
Summers^ Mrs. Niven^ Minnie^ Mrs. Douglas^
Norfolk Beauty^ Nymph^ Prima Donna^ PiccOj
Silvia^ and Zei-lina^ the latter especially superb,
fully warranting the expression of its raiser,
when offering it to his brother florists, that
it was the best Picotee extant. Of varieties
not yet distributed, or being now offered, I
may enumerate Mrs. Slack (Simonite), a
narrow-edged heavy, a grand variety, having
a broader petal and a stouter substance even
than Mrs. Summers, with the depth of colour
and unsurpassable white ground of the famed
Sheffield varieties ; Fanny (Lord), medium edge,
a worthy addition to the magnificent trio, Alicey
Minnie^ and Zerlina^ distributed by Mr. Lord
last year, now being sent ont by Mr, Jonathan

Booth, of Failsworth ; Her Majesty (medium),
and Leah (heavy), two varieties already referred
to as originated by Mr. Addis ; and Isabella
and Novelty y heavy edges, the productions of
the Bev. A. Matthews. To these I must add
John Deto/brce, already referred to in my notice
of the Bed-edges, of which I am informed my
stock, the pr^uce of a solitary plant, alone
remains to the cultivator, but which I trust,
with care and patience, I may preserve for
myself and brother fiorists, as I anticipate
great things from its very marked character.

Bose-edges — ^loveliest of the tribe where all
are queens-— come last, and here indeed is
beauty. Edith Dombrain^ Ethel^ Fanny Helen^
Juliana^ Mrs. Alkroft^ Mrs. Nicoll^ Mrs. Lord^
Miss Lee^ Miss Wood^ old Odadta^,and Regina^
were witchingly lovely; and of competitors
newer to favour, Miss Homer must have a first
place; and Mrs. Adams (AdamB) and Lack/
Louisa ( Abercrombie) will be welcomed wherever
beauty is recognised and Picotees are grown.
David Motley (Adams) I must see again before
I can speak confidently of its character, but
Teresa (Simonite), a bright light-edged scarlet,
is a most beautiful sort; and Fairy Queen
(Hartley) will find a high place, even in this
highly esteemed class.

Here I finish my notes of the beautiful
fiowers it has been my privilege to see in the
season now past ; and here, perhaps, I should
write ^^ finis " to my remarks, and to my work
amongst my friends and fellow-fiorists.* In-
creasing years, waning powers, and infirmities,
intensified by a long life of commercial activi-
ties, from which even yet I cannot seek relief,
painfully remind me that labours once so plea-
sant are no longer possible. But though I may
no longer do what once, I think I may presume
to say, I did — step out into the front and say
to my brother-fiorists, " Come on ** — I am sure
they will not deny to me the privilege of grey
hairs and matured years, but will follow my
advice, and " go on.*'

In the face of many difficulties and of a
season unpropitious beyond all remembrance,
the cultivators of these fiowers have produced
a succession of shows worthy of high commenda-
tion, and obtained large favour in the eyes of
the public. From all I yet know, the con-
ditions of 1878, so far as the action of the
larger Societies in the South is concerned, pro-
mise to repeat the conditions of 1877 ; and my
advice to my fellow-fiorists, therefore, is that,
as in 1877, so in 1878, they shall be ^^ up and
doing." — ^E. S. DojywzLL.

Ebbatuh, p. 13, 16 linM from foot of ooL a, f or * Tlgonr/
nftd* rigour.'

[• Mr. Dodweire serricea in thli department oannot be
■pftred ; and for the ver j eiifflclent reeaone he polnta out, It
behoyei all tme floriata to anpport, bj eTeiymeuia In their
power, hia efforta for the adTtnoement of rlorieoltve, not,
be it obaerred, in the apirit of oppoaition to the progreaa of
general hortionltore, bat aa helping forward the whole aoienoe^
by apedally promoting one of its branches*— £d.J

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1878.] WOODWABDIA BADI0AN8 0BI8TATA. 21

WOODWARDIA RADICANS ORISTATA.

iHE typical form of this plant is well character — sufficiently hardy to stand in an
known as one of the finer of the large- unheated glass-house, even though frozen, and
growing greenhouse ferns of evergreen sometimes suryiving in sheltered places out of

doors. One of its peculiarities consists in its with interrupted fronds has long been known in

forming a large bud near the apex of the frond, cultivation. Within the last few years, a

from which a stout young plant is produced. much handsomer crested form, represented by

Of this fern, a native of Madeira, a variety the annexed woodcut, kindly lent us by Mr.

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THB FLOBIBT AMD FOMOLOOIBT.

C Fmbrvaxt,

Fenn'fl, and hails from Bedfont, a place becom-
ing equally noted for Potat08. Of American
varieties a good many have appeared during
the past year; but although handsome in
appearance, it is premature to speak of them as
suited for cultivation in this country.

Amongst Cabbages, an inspection of the ex-
tensive collection growing at Ohiswick last year
enables us to note several very distinct and
little-known forms. The Early Boulogne is
one of the very earliest of Cabbages. Louviers
is an excellent early variety with the character
of Little Pixie or small Oxheart. St, JohrCs
Day Drumhead^ although not new, and the
Winnigstadt^ must be noted as two of the
finest of all Cabbages for autumn use. Jersey
Wakefield is a very large-hearting sort from
America. The Quintal Drumhead^ a low-
growing large-hearting sort, is very fine, and
the Bacalay may be noted as a very beautiful
and distinct sort. Of pure novelty the thick-
leaved Coutancesy a large strong-growing sort,
with very thick fringed leaves, and forming
white hearts; and the Glazed Ameiican, a
variety with deep green, shining leaves, are the
most noticeable.

Of Savoys, the finest of the early sorts
proved to be the Earliest Vienna of Senary, and
another very distinct variety is the Early
Lienayy forming deep-green open hearts, which
stand uninjured in the severest winters. Of
the large varieties, the Dee Vertu is a splendid
sort.

In Cauliflowers and Broccolis, which we class
together, we have a fine addition in VeitcKs
Self 'Protecting y succeeding the Autumn Giant.
Sutton*8 Late Queen is also specially to be
recommended.

Of Kidney Beans we have not so many
aspirants as usual. Button's Ducrot is stated
to be very excellent.

Turnips furnish us with no novelty or im-
provement, although new names were abundant.
It may be noted, however, that the strap-leaved
varieties have proved by far the earliest of any.

•Tomatos furnish us with a little novelty, and
three gains in this now extremely popular
vegetable or fruit, as the case may be — ^for
many of the smaller sorts are used purely as
dessert fruits, and eaten in a raw state. Early
Oem \a a very early sort, of medium size, and
very valuable on that account. The Criterion^

or Vicl^s Improved^ is the greatest novelty,
and is a decided acquisition — ^the fruits laige,
ovate in form ; and of a beautiful cannine-
red colour. The Trophy is a very large sort,
fine for exhibition purposes. Conqueror and
Portsmouth are also early, hardy, free-fruiting
sorts, good for open-air cultivation. — (Abridged
from the Gardeners* Chronicle,)

ADVANCES AMONG PRIMULAS.

)HAT there b a marked improvement
going forward in the Chinese Primrose
will be evident to those who have seen
the grand forms which have been exhibited of
late years. The many superb double varieties,
of which that which we recently figured is one,
show a very decided advance ; for useful as is
the old double form, the newer ones far surpass
it in quality. But this la not the only direc-
tion in which progress is to be observed. The
single-flowered sorts have been perhaps even
more improved in size, in substance, and in
colouring. A batch of these has recently come
before us, and in them we find these important
qualities to be specially well marked. We refer
to some choice forms which have been bred by
Mr. Tomkins (Sparkhill Nursery, Birmingham),
and of which we propose to specially notice
four — ^namely, two white-fiowered and two
bright red varieties.

Of the white, the best known b that called
Pbincess Louise, previously known as Mar-
chioness of Lome. This is a large pure white
of remarkable substance and boldness of char^
acter, with a well-marked yellowish spot, and
perfectly fiat. It has foliage of the typical
palmatifid type. A newer variety called
MonabOh is larger than this, but equally pure,
equally stout, and considerably more frilled, so
that it is scarcely so symmetrical, but is never-
theless a bold and striking flower of great en-
durance. This has a bold yellowish eye three-
quarters of an inch across and differs essen-
tially in 'having the more novel fern-like
foliage characteristic of some of the sports.

Of the carmine-red sorts just referred to, both
are far in advance of anything yet in general
cultivation. In size the flowers vie with the
largest, in substance they compare favourably
with the stoutest, while in colour nothing
approaches them for brilliancy of hue. They

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Picotees
I. Miss Homer. 2. Alice. 3. Zerlina.

Digitized by V^009lC

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. - -./oiai*-'! V,'. \ J *' M . ' .--*./:••■'

■ I -".n, 'V-,, • , i I.. : .■>: !' .^ f'.

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'".iirti. ^ i. :;• V'l^ ccmc ^ine tr"< ■
w : Cij/prcacli to ^' .rl^* : .- '

■'-'•111 f'f ciilia'u p^;fti^'*l at *' •
' *-<'u:po8t ii8*^u 'z a in,' <ure : ( \\'.-

♦ 'j'^tlior, the ro it^j li-vrjg :j gr a* !.k':; :<"
!-»' ri' '-? of inoit <i' ai.J 'lui^e 'ai • 1L'^

.'"■s III" n'-v-N'-^.-ittit" IjIvkIj jrsiiiy* •' *

. ■ .' /■ : ■ f cnr prc.-^t u* rl
•-r«^i liip product!* »n8 of M^ ^ -., "•
' To.iii!OT.!"Ti, .iiid will '■'••iif •

-■■ on ■• uftiae ?.ircu iv ot ^w'^r- . '
':<■' raiser ui xVnn L<~rd, tl-^. T- .-

Cm fntmd Mr. Dodwcii. :fll < ' ^
i- . -'. Varieties, ' -* u*' Nr

■ : .1, imd i:»y, *> ! V' :-

'-''k'8 of th»i'" ^^ '*..*.

• • .»:»!.■ ^ roa-i- 1 - ' .
(.•,' '-.Ml rouuiir: for •

. ' rrnii. ^ u :; w .
' * I "Lii ale i '

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\^^;^

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•«*•

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1878.]

NEW PIG0TEE8.-*S0ABLBT TREE OABNATION A AL]toATl£:BE.

belong to the groop which originated in ker-
mesina, the colour of whose flowers may be
described as carmine-rose. The brightest of
these is Soablet Kino, which has flowers of
a particularly brilliant tint, with yellow eye,
and associated with the old-fashioned palmati-
fid leaves; while Sunbise, which is a fern-
leaved sort, scarcely falls behind this in the
delicacy of its rosy-salmon colouring. These
grand varieties, it is said, come trae from seed.
Another near approach to scarlet has been
raised at Ohiswick, from seeds of M. Vilmorin's
strain.

The system of coltore practised at the
Sparkhill Nurseries has been thus described :
— ^The compost used is a mixture of burnt
earth, stiff loam, old mortar, charcoal, very
rotten cow-dung and leaf-soO, well mixed
together, the roots having a great liking for
the pieces of mortar and charcoal ; this com-
post does not necessitate much drainage, as it

is sufficiently porous in itself. The crown of
the plant is kept low down in the soil in pot-
ting, as from this part are thrown out many
surface-roots, which add much to their
vigour. Seeds are sown at intervals from
March until May, so as to insure a succession,
the earliest batch furnishing the earliest
bloom. Cuttings of special sorts are struck in
the spring in a gentle bottom-heat. The plants
are grown in a low span-roofed house, with
ventilation at the sides as well as at the top,
and in brilliant weather the light is subdued
by a little shading, too much exposure being
avoided. Careful watering is essential, and
tepid water is always used, watering over the
foliage until the plants begin to flower. Manure-
water is used most carefully, for the roots are
so sensitive that mischief is soon done from an
overdose ; it is, however, used frequently, but
in a very weak state, and always in a t^pid
condition. — ^T. Moobb.

NEW PICOTEES.

[Plate 461.]

!)HE varieties of Picotee which form the
subject of our present illustration, are
the productions of Mr. Robert Lord,
of Todmorden, and will confer an additional
lustre on a name already of wide celebrity as
the raiser of Ann Lord, Mrs. Lord, Bev. F.
D. Homer, and Minnie.

Our friend Mr. Dodwell, in his ^ Descriptions
of the Best Varieties, Old and New," published
in our volume for last year, has given at pp.
129, 131, and 158, a full account of the cha-
racteristics of these beautiful sorts, and there
the interested reader will flnd all the particu-
lars he can require for the complete develop-
ment of the beauty our artist has so success-
fully delineated. The portraits were sketched
under the supervision of our friend, and with
reference thereto, with some of that enthusi-
asm which readers of his papers may probably

think characteristic, he writes : — " Mr. Eosen-
berg deserves high commendation for the ex-
cellent portraits he has given us, more especi-
ally in the case of Miss Homer. But while
Art i9 delightful, Nature b inimitable, and the
spectator will feel the full beauty of their
rich translucent white grounds, the depth and
fullness and completeness of their form and
substance and exquisite markings, only when
he has these lovely flowers from Nature's own
hand before him.*'

Alice (fig. 2), and Zeblika (fig. 8), were
distributed in the autumn of 1876, and are
now the possession of almost every cultivator
of this much-admired tribe.

Miss Hobneb (fig. 1), has, we understand,
passed into the possession of Mr. Jonathan
Booth, of Failsworth, Manchester, and is now
being offered.— T. Moobb.

SCARLET TEEE CARNATION A AL^GATIERE.

E)HIS charming perpetual-flowering Oar-
nation was exhibited at the December
meeting of the Boyal Horticultural
Society, and was very deservedly awarded a
First-class Certificate. It has been described

in some of Uie gardening papers as a scarlet
Pink, but on what authority I cannot tell, unless
it is on account of its remarkably dwarf habit
—it grows only from 12 in. to 18 in. high, and
produces quite an abundance of blcMOms. The

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THB FL0BI8T AMD P0X0L0OI8T.

C FXBBUAftT,

colour is bright scarlet ; the petals very smooth
on the edge, forming a good, well-shaped flower.
It has a good pod, and does not burst, particu-
larly if the calyx-lobes are just opened at the
tip before the flowers expand. This variety
will not only be useful for furnishing cut flowers,
but it is so robust, and of such a dwarf bushy
habit, that it will make an excellent plant for
growing in pots for decorative purposes. Indeed^
we have in this novelty obtained a great acquisi-
tion to this class of plants, and one which is no
doubt destined to become an universal favourite.
It is of Continental origin, and will be dis-
tributed by Mr. Turner, of the Eoyal Nur-
series, Slough, who has become possessor of
of a large amount of fine healthy stock.

These dwarf - growing perpetual - flowering
varieties are certainly great improvements on
the old tall-growing sorts, most of which have
been discarded, and their places filled up with
excellent dwarf-growing kinds. Some of these
latter will be found very suitable companions
to this A, Alegatiere^ such as

Guelder Rose {T timer) ^ large, pure white,
beautifully fringed, very free.

Rose Perfection (Turner) ^ very bright rose.

Sir Garnet Wolseley (Turner), buff ground,
striped and edg^ed with red, large and very fine.

Miss JoLLirn (Masters), pale pink, very free.

Empress of Germany (Turner), fine large white,
slightly marked with bright rose.

The above are quite distinct, and all of very
dwarf habit. I might enumerate several others
that have very fine flowers, but for the most
part they are not of the same dwarf habit as
the foregoing.

As Tree Carnations are generally of but little
use after the second ytsa of blooming, it is
necessary to have a succession of young plants
struck from cuttings every season. This should
be done as early as possible, in order to obtain
good-sized blooming plants for the next season.
From the middle of February onwards to the
early part of March is the best time to propa-
gate them. They strike readily from pipings
if placed on a little gentle bottom-heat. As
soon as they are struck, pot them off into small
pots, using a mixture of good turfy loam, rotten
manure, and a little silver-sand. Keep them
in a free growing state, and repot them when-
ever necessary, until they are in d2-sized, or
6-in., pots, which is a very suitable size to
Woom them in. They should be grown in the
open air during the summer months until early

in October, when they should be put into a cool
greenhouse. The plants will then flower freely
through the autumn and winter months. —
JoHH Ball, Slough,

MARKET PLANTS.— I.

HYACINTH8, Narcissi, Tulips, Etc.
^^SoNY one walking through Oovent
l)Au ^*^^®^ Market at this season of the
<Zo <ii) year cannot help being struck not only
with the quantity of Tulips, Hyacinths, Nar-
cissi, Eoman Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley,
&c., which are sent into the market, but also
at the early season of the year when they are
to be had, and their general excellent quality.
Gardeners who visit the market (and an observ-
ant mind can there find much to interest and
instruct) are obliged to institute comparisons
between what they see, and what they wid
others are in the habit of producing, to the dis-
advantage of the latter. The fact is, the
practice of growing plants for market has been
reduced to something like a science — it is
done rapidly and thoroughly, and with the
best results. Let me endeavour to show how
these things are done, for the modes of doing
them are full of sound teaching.

Before the consignments of Hyacinths and
other bulbs are forwarded from abroad to the
large trade houses, who take the pick of them,
large quantities are sent over to the market
growers. As early in August as possible, early
white Boman Hyacinths and Double Boman and
Single Paper-white Narcissi come over in great
numbers, from France chiefly, but some also
from Holland. These are grown mainly for cut
flowers, and they appear in the market early
in October. The Narcissi are the first operated
on after their arrival. They are planted in
48-pot8, four, five, and six bulbs in a pot,
according to their size ; there is but little room
allowed, but then all the lower portion of the
pot is utilised for the purpose, drainage being
but of small consequence. In potting, the
bulbs are buried to a depth of a little more
than one-half. The potting done, a space is
cleared in the open ground, generally by^ the
side of a walk, and a layer of cinder-ashes is
placed over it. On this the pots are placed
close together, so many rows deep, according to
the space, and then covered with about six
inches of thoroughly decomposed manure and

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M78.]

VIXiliA aABDBNIKGI — ^FBBBUABT.

spent hops mixed together. The rains falling
on the covering carry down into the pots rare
fertilising influences ; the pots are snug and
warm ; a vigorous root-growth soon commences,
followed by the throwing up of strong flower-
ing shoots, which pierce Uie covering and show
above it. They get no attention, not even
watering, unless the weather be exceptionally
dry ; the rains of the late summer and the
moist character of the covering keep the roots
as damp as is necessary. Then, as soon as the
sheath separates and shows the bud, the plants
are taken into a stove, placed thickly on a stage,
^d kept well watered ; and there they throw
up trusses of bloom which in size and beauty
are far beyond what one is accustomed to see
in the Paper-white and Double Boman Nar-
cissi grown in the ordinary way. * Both are
sweetly fragrant, and during November, Decem-
ber, and onwards, the flowers And ready sale in
the market. No plants of these are sent there
on sale.

Boman Hyacinths are treated somewhat
differently. Their charming fragrant white
blossoms are the first to appear of the im-
ported roots, and rapid production is the rule.
To have flowers only, the bulbs are put thickly
in small pans, pots, or boxes, set into a striking-
frame in a stove or propagating-house, in a brisk
bottom-heat, and in a short time the flower-
stems are thrust up almost before a leaf puts
in appearance. The plants that are sent into
Covent Garden Market so early in the winter
are grown in pots, four or so bulbs being placed
in a 48-pot, started into growth in heat, and
brought on into flower in a rather cooler
temperature. Thousands of Boman Hyacinths
are grown in this way.

The Tulips, Crocuses, Hyacinths, and later-
blooming Polyanthus Narcissi come on about
the middle of August. Crocuses are not
much grown ; but Tulips in great plenty,
especially the white, rose, and scarlet Van
Thol, Golden Prince, and one or two other
early-flowering varieties. The Hyacinths are
of certain early-bkoming varieties also.

The Tulips are in the first instance put in
shallow wooden boxes, and stood out-of-doors
under a coating of dung and hops, in the same
way as the early-flowering Narcissi. Borne of
the Hyadnths and Narcissi are put in boxes
also, but the great majority in pots, two or

three in a pot. All are placed out-of-doors,
under the manure covering, to start into growth.
The advantage of growing Ttdips in boxes is,
that as they come into bloom, the earliest of
them can be lifted and put into pots. This
can be done up to the middle of February.
After that, they are planted in and grown on
in pots, as they would flag too much after being
transplanted when the days lengthen, the sun
is bright, and the atmosphere is warmer.

The bulbs may be said to represent the first
series of forcings. In the autumn, there are
Pomsettias, Cyclamens, Bouvardias, Tuberoses,
Mignonette, Bichardias, Double White Primu-
las, Pelargoniums, Eucharis, Gardenias, &c.,
coming into bloom, and the modes of growing
and blooming these shall be treated of in sub-
sequent papers. — ^Bichabd Dean, Ealing^ W.

VILLAGAEDENING-FEBEUARY.

j)HAT extraordinary weather 1" is the
remark heard on every hand. In
the autumn there were not wanting
those who predicted a hard winter ; but here
we have had the atmosphere as soft and balmy
as in April, and as far as indications of wintry
weather are concerned, they appear to exist as
yet only in the imaginings of the prophets.
The weather is now favourable to out-door
gardening operations, and they should be
pushed on without delay.

Gbbbnhousb. — ^A little more fire-heat may
be applied when the weather is dull and cold,
as many early subjects are advancing into
bloom, and a little artificial warmth is of great
assistance. Cinerarias^ Primulas^ and other
soft-wooded early^wering plants, should be
kept as near the glass as possible, but where
they can have a free circulation of air in favour-
able weather. In a close atmosphere these
plants draw, and green-fly gathers about the
shoots. Plenty of water and air should now
be given to aU things that are growing freely,
keeping the lights shut on the side of the wind,
so as to avoid cold currents. Hard-wooded
plants, and indeed any that have been kept
dry all winter, will in many oases need to be
plunged to the rim of the pot in a pail of tepid
water, to thoroughly moisten the ball of earth
before repotting is done. When this is not
done in spring, plants like AxcUeas^ Epaerisy and
others, that form dense balls of fine roots,
having once get dry, the water never after-
wards wets the roots properly, but runs
away down the ndee of the pots, and after

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THE FLOBIST AND P0X0L00I8T.

( Fbbiuakt,

langaiBliiDg some time, the plants die al-
together. Thb is a matter that cannot
be impressed too closely on the attention of the
amateur. Store-plants in pots and cutting-
boxes should now be potted off, and any old
plants of last year reserved for cuttings should
be put into a gentle warmth, to push them into
growth. Salvia patens^ Petunias^ Fuchsias^
Helioti*ope8y Chrysanihemwm^ and other useful
plants for the summer garden, can be increased
in this way. Examine all plants of free growth
for green-fly, and fumigate the house with
tobacco-smoke, syringing the plants directly
after. A little seed of Lobelia speciosa, Petunia^
Phlox Drummondii^ Stocky Mignonette^ and
other popular flowers, should now be sown in a
little warmth. In this way, good strong plants
can be had by spring, which soon make a dis-
play in early summer. Keep soft-wooded
plants dear of decaying leaves, and stir the
surface-soil occasionally.

Gold Gbkekhouse. — Here things are mostly
quiet, and it is best for them to remain so,
with the exception of such as are nearly hardy.
Crocus Imperatiy Anemone Julgens^ Hepatica$^
and some of the early-flowering Violas are
pretty things for the cold house just now.
Water sparingly at present. Amateur gar-
deners are strongly tempted to give good soak-
ings, in their impatience to see the plants
making headway ; but the winter is by no
means past, and there is no knowing how soon
frost may appear on the scene. Patience is a
virtue in plant-growing, as in many other
things.

Flowbb-Gabdkn. — ^In drying weather lightly
fork flower borders, but beware of doing injury
to the crowns of plants beginning to sweU
with growth. If the wet weather has delayed
any planting, let it be done at once. The
imptdse to grow wUl soon be strong in many
pluits, and they should be in the soil without
delay. Frosts tends to throw newly-planted
subjects up out of the soil ; as soon as it thaws,
they should be pressed down firmly. Many
things are lost in this way, as the worms com-
plete the work of ejectment conuneneed by the
frosts. The villa gardener must now look
ahead. Dahlias should be set to work in a
dung-frame about the middle or end of the
month, and in this frame such seeds may be
placed as there is not room for in the warm
greenhouse. Now b the time to sow a little
seed of such useful perennials as Aquilegias^
Canterbury Bells^ Delphinium^ Foxglove, Cam"
panulaSy ^., so as to have good s^ng plants
to put oat in May. If the beds for spring dis-
play are not planted, let it be done at once.
Good Daisies J Wallflowers, Pansies, and Polt/-
anthuses can now be had in plenty and ata-
cheap rate, and there is good tixne for the
plants to get well-rooted before the blooming

season. Out back hardy Clematises, thin out
climbing Eoses^ and get all hardy creepers put
trim and straight for the spring.

Gold Fbames. — Carnations and Picotees in
pots waiting to be planted in larger pots for
blooming in the summer should have plenty of
air, and the foliage be kept dean; any in-
tended for the open border should be planted
out towards the end of the month. Now is
the time to pot up a few plants of Violets,
Myosotis dissitifiora, Dielytra spectabilis.
Anemone fulgens, Cheiranthus MarshaUii, Saxi*
fraga granulata flore-pleno. Iris pumila, and
the many other early-flowering hardy plants
that are so charming in early spring. They
come into bloom before those in the epen air,
and their flowers are safe from injury from
frost Lilies may be repotted towards the end
of the month. Primula amoma and its varieties
are now making growth, and plenty of air
should be given them. If not already done,
repot at once, but it is always best to do this
in October. Auriculas may still be kept fairly
dry and near the glass, with plenty of air. If
excited into growUi early, a check sometimes
comes, and the plants rarely bloom so findy in
consequence. Keep the surface-soil of the pots
stirred, and on no account allow anything to
become drawn for want of air,

KrroHEK Gabden. — ^Plant a few early Potatos
on a warm border, but instead of rank manure,
use as fertilisers charred rubbish, old mortar,
soot, lime, &o., mixed together, spreading a
dressing of this and leaf-mould over the tubers.
In a warm spot sow a few Seville Longpod
Beans, WoocTs Frame Radish, French Horn
Carrot, Beading Onion, and Paris Cos Lettuce,
Make new Asparagus beds, plantations of
rhubarb, beds of herbs, kc Some of the ear-
liest of the established roots of rhubarb may
now be covered with seakale pots or cement
casks, and some dung and leaves plaoed about
them for forcing. 8ow a few Advancer, IVtn-
cess Boyal, and Jameses Prolific Peas, These
are good early dwarf free-branching sorts of
excellent quality. Use the hoe freely among
growing crops.

Fbuit Gabdbn.— Let the pruning of all fruit
trees be pushed on in favourable weather, so
that all planting among or near the trees can
be proceeded with as desired.^SuBX7BBAKU8.

DRAOJENA ROSEOPIOTA.

UB illustration represents a plant of
robust habit and bold aspect. The
leaves are suberect or slightly spreading,
from 18 in. to 20 in. long, induding the foot-
stalk, with a width of 4 in. They are beauti-
fully coloured with a delicate rose tint, which
deepens by age to a bright crimson, findy

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WHY DO CAUBLLIA BUDS FALL?

contrasting with the ground-colour, which is of
a deep olive-green. It appears to have a very

hardy constitution, which enhances its yalue
as a fine decorative plant. It is also useful

for exhibition. Such is the description given
by the raisers, Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of

DBACSVA BOSBO-nCTA.

Ohelsea, to whom we are indebted for the use
of the woodcut. — T. M.

WHY DO CAMELLIA BUDS FALL?

^HIS is a question that often presents
itself to the cultivators of this most
useful winter-flowering shrub, and
yarious reasons have been assigned, such
as too high a temperature, too much or
too little water, &c. That these con-
ditions do cause the buds to fall I am aware,

but I am induced to believe there are other
causes. I particularly noticed last year a good
plant growing out-doors in Kent, in a position
sheltered from north winds, and in a sandy soil,
with good drainage, but where it was not too
dry, tiie last season being exceptionally wet
and mild, yet still ^ quantity of buds fell o£F.

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THI FLOBIST AXD POXOLOaiST.

[ FiBBUABT,

This led me to the condnrion thikt the plant
was not able to carry such a quantity of bloom,
the first of which expanded in February, and a
succession of which continued to open for some
time. This plant had just commenced making
its new growth when the disastrous frost in
the early part of May occurred, and cut very
severely ; but it fortunately broke back, and I
have no doubt will bloom well this season.

Camellias in pots generally reoeite yety in
different treatment. They are potted in bad
soil, and during the summer months when
turned out-doors very often want for water ;
then of course the buds drop speedily. Oamellias
blossom freely enough out-doors in the south,
but the flowers are apt to be damaged by
rain and frost. They succeed best in a
cool house, and planted out in a well-drained
border, the soil being composed of turfy loam,
peat, and sand. They should at all times receive
plenty of water, and when the buds are formed
they will be benefited by having weak liquid
manure. — Geo. Pottb, Jun., Red Bice Oardeni.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

XHIBITI0N8 and meetings have been
fixed for the following dates : — ^Botal
HoBTiouLTimAL SociSTT : Qreat Sum«
mer Sbow, May 28-81 ; Provincial Show at Preston,
July 10-13. Fruit and Floral Committees, January
15; February 19 > March 6, 19; April 2, 16; May
7, 21 ; June 4^ 18 (this being also a Rose show and the
PelaiTgonium Society's show); July 2, 16 j August
6, 20 ; September 17 ; October 16 ; November 19 5
December 17. — Royal Botanio Society: Spring
Shows, March 27, April 24. Suinmer Shows, May
22, June 12, July 10 1 Evening Fite, Juno 26. Mr.
Anthony Watebib's exhibition of Rhododendrons
to open about June 1, and Messrs. Cabteb and Oo.'s
exhibition of flowering and fine-foliaged annualfl to
be on yiew during June and July. — Obystal Palace :
National Auricula Society's Southern Show, April
25 ; Great Flower Show, May 24-26 ; National Rose
Society's Show, June 29 ; Autumn Fruit, Flower, and
Potato Show, September 26-27.— The Royal Man-
chebtbb Botanical and Hobticultubal Society :
Floral meetings, Maroh 19, April 30 ; National Horti-
cultural Exhibition, June 7-14 ; National Rose So-
ciety's Show, July 6 ; Cottagers' Show, August 8 ;
Chiysanthemum Show, November 26.

— QPhb Boyal Hobtioultubal SooiSTTlias
just appointed as Assistant-Segbetaby an able
and zealous officer, in the person of Mr. 8. Jen-
nings, who is f aronrably known for his hortioultural
work at Oakntta, ADahalMd, Ao., and his author-
ship of a book on Orehids. The want of aa actire
ana acting head to take the general management
of the Sooie^saflainH has long been felt. Whether
the change comes soon enough to resuscitate the
Sooie^ remains to be seen. We wish Ur. Jennings
■vceeMsbvl it wOl be bo easy t«ric to oo nei l ia t»

those wbo are mainly interested in horticulture, and
those who care simply for bands, promenades, and a
playgpround for their children. The regeneration
of the Society must depend on its being made
national instead of local, and if it initiates and
carries through work which can be recognised by
the public as worthy of support, there is little doubt
that support will be forthcoming. May wise counsels
prevail.

•^- Chi tenth quinquennial Iktebnatiokal
Hobtioultubal Exhibition at Ghent is fixed
to open on March 81, and continue to April 7
next. The schedule is very full and complete, and
eomprises upwards of tluree hundred classes, in
each of which two, and in most instances three,
prizes are offered. The citizens of Ohent are adepts
in the art of organising a first-class show, and the
cordial and hospitable reception giren to EngUsh-
men at these gatherings is well known. The Van
Houtte Memorial Prizes, to consist of two Silrer
Cups, offered by the English Committee for Stove
and Greenhouse Flowering Plants^ will be first
competed for on this occasion.

— QPhb Hobtioultubal Olus has recently
changed its home, and remored from Adelphi
Terrace to new and much superior quarters in
Arundel Street, Strand, under the same roof as
the Temple Club. Here it may be hoped it will
meet with such support as will make it a horticul-
tural power, should any public movement for the
adranoement of horticulture become necessary.

*^ {The National Bose SoonoTt's Shows

for 1878 are fixed to take place as follows : —

The Metropolitan Show at the Crystal Palace,

Sydenham, on Saturday, June 29; and the Pro-
Tinoial Show at Manchester, on Saturday, July 6.

-*- fiH^ AuDOTKAUDy of Montpellier, after

experimenting on Potash Manubes fob Vines,

arrives at the conclusion that sulphate of

potash and chloride of potassium have a xoarked
influence on the development of the Vine, and
nitrate of potash still more so, while carbonate of
potash is less efficient 1 and that potash should
enter into the composition of manures for the Vine,
that which exists already in the soil not being
usually in a fit condition to be readily absorbed.
Hence the utility of wood-ashes as a dressing for
Vine borders.

— She 80BEW-PINB Scale {Aspidiotus
Pandant)haa recently been observed in our hot-
houses as very persistently attacking plants of

Pandanxu filiformis* Sig^oret describes it as living
exclusively on Pandanus uHliSf but the above case
shows ths^ its predilection is generic, not specific.
Moreover, it wanders a little from its special genus,
being found at home on the Cinnamon tree in the
same eollection. It is a round, flat, blackish-brown
scale, with a whitish umbo in the centre. The
female under the scale is rounded, of a whitish-
yellow colour, and the oharacteristic clusters of
secretors (osJltd filiirea by Signoret) on the termi-
nal segment are four in number, each consisting of
a very small number of openings. The isolated
filiirea are peculiar long hairs, pointed at the
extremity.

<-* Smoikist Mr. W. Paul's New BoesSya

fine HJ?*» named Maj^ QumMj stand* OHt

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1878. ]

GABDEN GOSSIP.

pre-eminent. It was raised by Mr. B. B.
PogtanSi of Brentwood, and is certainly a grand
Rose, of a brilliant magenta-carmine oolonr, large
and fnll, with the petals most symmetrically dis-
posed, and growing a little darker as it ages. It is
in every respect A 1. Bed Dragon is a strong-
growing rich red-crimson, large, fall, and bright,
and being suitable for climbing and pillars, it will
fill a wide sphere of garden usefulness. Rosy Mom
is a delicate peach colour, richly shaded salmon-
rose, remarkable for brightness, and is a lovely Rose,
with the highest "points." These all hare a robust
oonititution, and produce good foliage.

— She North- West American Olshatib
PiTCHEBi has found its way into French gar-
dens, whence it may soon be expected to arrive

amongst us. It is a slender plant, with the leaf-
lobes ovate-oblong, obtuse, and somewhat glaucous,
and the flowers vase-shaped, scarlet, of moderate
size, on long peduncles. It is quite hardy.

— H GtoLDBN Yew Spobt has recently been
noted in the gardens at Old Gonna Hill, near
Bray, the residence of P. Biall, Esq. These
gardens are remarkable for the grand and beauti-
fully trim yew hedges, which separate the kitchen
garden from the flower ground, and also form the
lofty, sheltering quadrsmgle which protects from
the blast on all points the rockeries, on which are
gprown a choice out-door collection of British ferns.
These yew hedges are 16 ft. or more high, plumb
and smooth as a concrete wall, except in one spot,
where very recently symptoms of gold-fever were
noticed, and the shears being forbidden to touch it,
the smooth surface was soon varied with a boss of
golden yew.

— ©HE beautiful Euohabis amazonioa is
grown very extensively and in a very simple
way by Mr. Denning. The mode of culture
adopted is to plant it out, in quantity, in a well-
kei^ed pit, where it grown freely, and about Christ-
mas yields an enormous crop of flowers. This is an
easy way of providing a supply of Bnoharis for
Christmaetide decorations.

— QPhb glossy-leaved Besbibis Dabwiku is
often seen used as a hedge plant in the Surrey
nurseries, and an excellent shrub it is for the
pnrpose. Mr. Penford, the gardener at Powers-
ooort, describes in the Garden a hedge of this Ber-
beris 260 yards long, 4 ft. high, and I^ft. through,
well famished from bottom to top. In spring, it is
studded with thousands of bright racemes of flowers,
and in autumn its purple berries have a fine effect.
A hedge of this Berberis will hold^ts own against
all comers, and will be equally pleasing either in a
large or smaU garden.

— - 0HB ground intended for a Willow

Plahtation should be well drained in the

first instance, and laid off in 6-ft. ridges,

with deep interrening furrows. Cuttings do
nraoh better than plants, and should be put in
in Fehntftry or March. The enttingpi shonld be
from 1 ft. to 16 in. long, and be inserted in a slant-
ing direetioii aboal two-thirds of their length, at
from 1ft. to 9ft. apart In the beds. Though fond
of seistttre^ willows wfQ nol thrive in hwa which
is water-logged.

— H VERT interesting Tomato Hybrid has

been raised by Mr. Davidson, at Highfield

Park, Heckfleld. The pollen-parent was Hatha-

way*s Excelsior, the seed-parent the Red Currant
(Lycopersicum racemigerum) , The hybrid is of
more robust habit than its mother, whilst the
bunches of fruit are larg^, and the fruit itself at
least three times as large as that of the Currant. It
is quite distinct, and is exceedingly ornamental.

— ©HE Chrysanthemum Mrs. George
BxTNDLE is the best and purest of the white-
flowered sorts for yielding a supply of cut
flowers, and the best-habited kind for pot-culture.
Strong plants, full of buds, lifted with Uurge balls of
soil from the open ground at the end of October,
and planted in a span-roof house, produce a pro-
fusion of most valuable flowers for cutting.

— J^AViHO casually observed the effeots

OF GOAL ASHES ON ToMATOS to be, as I thought,

something out of the common, increasing not

so much the growth of the plants as the tise,
smoothness, and number of the fruit produced, a
market-gardener of experience confirmed my sus-
picion, and last spring I adopted his directions,
which were to throw out a wheelbairow-load of
earth where each plant was to stand, and then fill
with half -soil smd half -coal ashes, and therein set
out the plants. I did so, and the result was quite
surprising, the dozen plants thus treated bearing
nearly double the fruit of others, and smoother and
larger ; but Tomato plants so set will, in case of
drought, require water oftener, and more of it, than
those growing in common soil. So writes a corre-
spondent of the Country Qentleman,

— H NEW CUOCTMBER, WaLKER'b HeRO, is

highly spoken of as growing in the gardens at
Muckross Abbey. Telegraph, Duke of Edin-
burgh, Marquis of Lome, and Walker's Hero were
sown at the same time (January 28), grown
side by side in the same pit and in the same
soil, and treated in eveiy way alike. By the
last week in February, or about five weeks from
the time of sowing, a brace of handsome fruit
was cut from Walker^s Hero, not one of the others
affording a cutting for a month or more later.
It possesses all the points of a first-class cucumber
— size, shape, tenderness, and a beautiful bloom ;
and further, it is a splendid cropper.

— iISSant of the Double - FLOWERED

Pelarqonittms of recent introduction possess

the compact habit and free-flowering qualities

of the best of the single varieties. One of the most
free-blooming is the semi-double Wonderful, which
is of the same habit and colour as Vesuvius, from
which it is a sport; and one of the most useful
is Madame Thibaut, a grand rose-pink. D^put^
Ancelon, deep rosy-purple, Littr^, another rosy-
purple, and Le Kord-Est, bright scarlet, are also
fine. Candidissimum is said to be the best white.

— 9nb of the finest of the pale-ooloured
hardy varieties- of Clematis is Otto Frabel,
which last season bloomed splendidly with
Mr. O. Jackman, in his norsery at Woking. The
plant appears to be remarkable for vigour, and
the flowers are of immense sise and perfect in form,

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[ FlBEVUtT,

the lepala being mffioientlj broad to be well imbri-
cated. The colour it a French-white, and there.
fore ■omewhat wanting in parity, bat the fine qoali-
ties of the flower in other respeota amplj atone for
thii deficiency, and no one who plants it coold poB-
Bibly be disappointed if the plant thrires. It is bj
no means a norelty, being a Continental yariety sent
oat some years since.

— SThb beautiful HTACiNTHtrs oakdiouts
is yet but littlo known, and its extreme hardi-
neas has been unsuspected. Seed sown in the
Bommer of 1876 in the open gronnd germinated
freely, and the little balbs were left exposed ta the
severe frosts of the snoceeding spring, and were
foond to be qaite fresh, and throwing oat roots in
the month of March. This proves that the H.
candioans is not only hardy, bat more hardy than
most of oar spring biUbs.

— She Messrs. Ottolander, of Boekoop,
hare sent out a coloured figure of Clematis
SiEBOLDiA, describe^ as a hybrid, raised at
Boskoop, between C. lanaginosa and C. patens.
The flowers are S-sepaled, something over 7 in.
across, of a deep parplish-maave colour. It very
closely resembles such English rarieties as Princess
of Wfdes, Robert Hanbory, and others of the same
stamp.

— It appears that Dbaojbnas are liable to
catch the Cucumber disease, some plants grow-
ing in a house infested with the disease having
had their roots attacked by minate thread-like
worms, similar to, and probably identical with, the
very minate vibrios asaally foand in diseased
Melons and Cucambers. This may serve as a hint
not to plange valnable plants into Cacamber beds.

— H ciBOULAB has been issued by S. Bar-
low, Esq., and the Eev. F. D. Homer, the
honorary secretaries, calling a general meeting

of the members of the National Aubicula (northern
section), Botal National Tulip, and National
Carnation and Picotkk (northern section) Societies
on Febraary 5» at 2 pjon., at the old " Ball's Head,"
HancLester, to arrange the dates of this yearns ex-
hibitions, and the schedules of prizes, and to consider
the plan of jadging, and other matters connected
with the management of the above Societies.

— ilNALYsis has shown that Apples con-
tain a larger amount of phosphorus, or brain-
food, than any other fruit or vegetable, and on
this accoant they are very important to sedentary
men who work with their brain rather than their
muscles. They also contain the acids which are
needed every day, especially for sedentary men,
the action of whose liver is sluggish, to eliminate
eifete matters, which if retained in the system, pro-
duce inaction of the brain, and indeed, of the whole
system, causing jaundice, sleepiness, scurvy, and
troublesome diseases of the skin.

— 8Jhe Arbutus-leaved Pear, Pybus abbitti-
TOLiA, appears to be but little known, although
it is one of the most beautiful of our autumn-
tinted trees. A good specimen of it presents a
gorgeoos spectacle, the flame-coloured uj^r sor-
faces of the leaves being very brilliant.

— SbEPTDixjs Holmes Godson, Esq., died

at 14 Butland Chfcte, on November 16, in hla

79 th year. He was one of the oldest Fellows

of the Boyal Horticultural Society, and sat for
many years on the Council.

— I^B. BoBEBT FouLiB died at Fordel,

Fifeshire, on December 21, in his 80th year.

He was for a little over half a century gardener

and forester at Fordel. In February, 1876^ he was
awarded the Neill Prize by the managers of the
Boyal Caledonian Society.

— l^B. W. J. Eggleton, head gardener to

Lord Vernon, Sudbury Hall, Derby, died on

December 22, at the early age of 83. He was
highly respected by the gardeners in Staffordshire
and Derbyshire, and was himself a very successful
Grape and Peach grower.

— SbAMUEL GooPEB, Esq., of The Hollies,

Timperley, Cheshire, died on December 24. He

was a keen lover of all that was beautiful in

Nature, and a most enthusiastic florist. He pos-
sessed an extensive collection of stage and alpine
Auriculas, Tulips, and Pinks, and has exhibited at
the exhibitions of the National Societies for many
years. He frequently related at the social r^wMtmM
of the florists the delight with which he carried home
his first prize — a saucepan — ^from a Pink show. Mr.
Cooper was a liberal supporter of all the Northern
floral societies.

— {The Bey. John Fountainb died at
Southacre Bectory, Norfolk, on December 28,
in his 63rd year. He was an ardent horti-
culturist, especially enthusiastic in the orchard-
house culture of fruit-trees, and was the' author of
a pamphlet. The Improved Method of Qrototng Fruit
upon the Orchard-Houee Principle, and the inventor
of the orchard-house railway, with the design of
which visitors to Chiswick are familiar.

— fiin. Thomas Moffatt died on Januazy
4, in his 9l8t year. He was gardener to the
late Viscount Sydney, at Frognal, for a period
of twenty years, and then went to Clumber Gardens,
where he served three Dukes of Newcastle. He
was the oldest Fellow of the Boyal Horticultural
Society, and was appointed by that Society as one
of a committee of three to select a site for the new
garden about to be formed, when Chiswick was
selected as the most eligible.

— ;^B. Andrew Mubbay, F.L.S., died at

Bedford Gardens, Kensington, on January 10, in

his 66th year. As an entomologist and a botanist

—conifers being his specialty — ^Mr. Munay has long
been known as an indefatigable worker, while to
horticulturists he was well known from his long
connection, official and otherwise, with the Boyal
Horticultural Society. His stores of information
were very varied, his reasoning original, and cha-
racterised often by much quaint humour in the
expression. Economic entomology occupied of late
much of his attention, and the arrangement of the
collections at South Kensington imd Bethnal Green
Museums was his work.

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W H Fitdi dd G 3evar<yn3. ChrcmollLK Br'a;?i>'r

Apple; Jolly Beggar.

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1878.]

POlKdETTIAS, SIKGLE AKB DOtTBLB.

THE JOLLY BEGGAR APPLE.

[Plate 462.]
HIS excellent early kitchen Apple was or more in length.

sent to us some time since, with a yery
high character for its quality and good
bearbg properties, by Mr. Eivers, of Sawbridge-
worth, and Mr. Fitch has veiy accurately re-
presented the samples of it then received.
It is, as our figure shows, a fruit of full medium
size, roundish, and somewhat ribbed near the
crown, pale yellow, with a tint of deeper yellow
on the more exposed side. The eye is large
and open, and set in a shallow basin formed by
the ribs already alluded to. The stalk is in-
serted in a deepish hollow, and is half an inch

The flesh is tender and
juicy in texture, white, sweet, with a brisk plea-
sant flavour. Dr. Hogg, in his Fruit Manual^
identifies it with a variety called Lord Gros-
venor, and notes that it is a first-rate cook-
ing-apple, in use from August till October
(Mr. Bivers sajrs, October to December). " The
great merit of this variety," he remarks, " is its
great fertility, the small bush trees producing
an abundance of fine yellow fruit. The tree
bears very early, and is one of the most useful
for garden-culture." Other authorities speak
of it as a prodigious bearer. — T. Moobe.

POINSETTIAS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE.

3M0NGST the plants employed for the
ornamentation of our houses during
the mid-winter months, the Poinsettia
stands pre-eminent, its gorgeous brilliancy of
colour being specially captivating and attractive,
whilst it possesses peculiar lasting qualities
as a decorative plant. A further point, which
adds greatly to its popularity, consists in its
being amenable to general treatment. Indeed
it is of such easy culture, that even those who
have but limited means at command may enjoy
its dazzling gleams of colour. Doubtless, with a
better understood system of management, we
are now enabled to produce far more satisfactory
results than was wont to be the case ; and in
the place of the gaunt, straggling, ungainly-
looking plants we were formerly in the habit
of seeing, we have them now compact and
sturdy, with verdant foliage resting on the pots,
and affording a pleasing contrast to the flaming
bracts. So simple is the necessary treat-
ment, that a few brief remarks only will be
necessary, to place before those who may be
unacquainted therewith, the treatment which is
most likely to insure the greatest amount of
satisfaction.

Premising that the plants are at rest and
dried off, they ate best kept in a temperature
of about 60^, and may be started into growth
so as to suit the time and various purposes for
which they are required. The average season
of flowering is from November to March, and
presuming there is accommodation to grow

No. 8. IMPBBIAL SEBIS8. — E.

them in quantity, they may be started in
successional batches from June to the end of
August, a few plants being introduced at a
time into a brisk, humid atmosphere, where
they will quickly start into growth. The
Poinaettia is easily propagated in a variety of
ways, such as by cuttings of the old wood or
by single ey^ precisely as in the case of Vines ;
but by far the handiest and best way of in-
creasing it is by cuttings of the young shoots,
taken off when from two to three inches in
length. These should be cut clean off with
a heel, and be dibbled singly into small pots,
using a light sandy compost, and plunging
them in a dose humid frame or propagating-
house, with a bottom-heat of about 85°, where
they must be shaded and kept sufficiently
moist, as it is essential at this stage that they
retain the tender foliage. They will quickly
emit roots, and care will then be requisite that
they are gradually inured to withstand full
exposure, as from this stage onwards it is of
primary importance that they should be fully
exposed to every ray of light, and be kept close
to the glass.

Doubtless when such is available, the
very best place in which to grow Poinaettias
throughout the season is a low span-roofed
house or pit, where they can have an abund-
ance of light and air ; and it is well known
that in the early stages of growth the foster-
ing influence of bottom-heat to the roots is
of the greatest advantage, as well as during

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THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GI8T»

[ICAECH,

the time wlien the plants are bemg pushed
forward in autumn, when the geniality of an
advanced ground temperature adds so materia
ally to the development of the crest of bracts.
At the same time, such stimulating influence
should be used in moderation, as it is most
objectionable to engender an enfeebled con-
stitution, which would be less likely to endure
the exposure to which in all likelihood they
would afterwards be subjected. As the bracts
fully expand, the temperature and moisture
should be gradually reduced, the former to 50°
or so ; and if kept moderately dry at the root,
they will stand for a length of time in the
conservatory or a dry room. In fact, for every
decorative purpose they are so lasting and
effective as to merit every attention in prepara-
tion ; and when well hardened off, I have
known them to stand for weeks in a minimum
of 45°, when kept from draughts and cold
currents of air.

The soil I find best suited for the Poinsettia
is a mixture of light rich turfy loam, leaf-
mould, and rotten manure, in about equal parts.
If the loam is at all adhesive, the compost would
be improved by consisting of about equal parts
of loam and peat, with thoroughly decayed cow-
dung, adding' sand, charcoal, and bone-dust, so
as to insure porosity, as the plants dislike an
adhesive medium in which to root. Liquid
manure is only necessary or at all desirable
during the later stages of growth, when, if
applied in moderation, it will encourage a more
vigorous development of bracts. As Poinseitias
are required for a variety of purposes of various
heights and sizes, so as to suit the different
positions they are required to occupy; the
earliest-rooted plants must be grown on, either
as single plants, or grouped five or more in a
pot, aooording to the size required. I recom-
mend the one shift from the cutting pot at
onoe into that in which they are to flower, as
there is no further check to the roots. Tall
plants are very effective as ^ starers,' for givii^
relief to groups of foliage, and overtopping the
plants in general arrangements upon conserva-
tory benches, they form grand objects. For
this particular purpose, I find the one-year-old
plants to answer best ; if cut freely back to two
or three eyes, and placed in heat to break, they
qniddy make shoots an inch in length, when
tbej dioold be ahaken dear of the old soilr

trimming any obtruding roots, and then be potted
into pots according to the reduced state of the
roots. If plunged in bottom-heat, they make
rapid progress, and with a final shift soon form
splendid shoots, carrying bracts of astonishing
size, and for such purposes as above indicated
they are glorious subjects.

The method formerly adopted to obtain
dwarf plants, and one which is now frequently
resorted to with great success, obtaining heads
of colour 12 in. in diameter, upon plants 6 in.
in height in small pots, was to plant out the
old plants in a pit early in spring, and encou-
rage vigorous growth. The heads taken off
during August, and placed in a brisk, dose
frame, quickly root, and if kept dose to the
glass, afterwards make but little growth, and
are so very serviceable for grouping in trays
with other subjects, as to be well worth grow-
ing in quantity. However, the method which
most fittingly commends itself for the produc-
tion of dwarf plants, and which is the least
trouble, is to confine* the late-struck plants,
which are started in July and August, to the
60-pots in which the cuttings are rooted, though
to insure perfect success with PoinaeUias in
such small pots, a little nice attention is neces-
sary, as they must not receive any check, and
the plants must be kept dose to the glass,
freely syringed overhead, and liberally supplied
with manure-water. These convenient minia-
ture plants produce glorious heads of Inracts,
and form charming subjects for decoration.

To be perfectly successful in the cultivation
of the Poinsettiaj a strong and vigorous growth
must, as far as possible, be uninterruptedly
secured throughout the season of active growth ;
they must have full exposure to every ray of
sun, without the slightest shade in any form
after they are removed from the cutting pot,
placing them as close to the glass as possible,
and giving an abundance of air ; this cannot
well be overdone during July, August, and
September. In fact, with plants that are fully
and early established, I have often removed
the lights entirely during mild weather with
the best results. But this must be done with
caution. When grown by themselves, Poin*
settias are more under control in every way
than when grown in the ordinary stove with a
mixed collection. In the latter case, they are
very apt to get drawn and weakened. When

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1878.]

AZALBA BOLUSSONI. — ^DBSTBUOTION OF LAWNS.

a pit 13 not available, a common frame will
grow them admirably daring the sammer
months.

As to varieties, they are but few. The old
tjrpical form Poinsettia pulcherriina has long
been a most popular useful variety for general
purposes. The new P. p, plenissima is a very
splendid sort, producing magnificent heads of
a deep vermilion colour, and is very useful in
succession to the typical variety, being quite
a fortnight later in flowering, with the addi-
tional advantage of standing twice the length
of time in condition. Notwithstanding the
discordance of opinion as to the merits of this
plant, I hail it as a welcome addition to our
plant stores for winter blooming. The variety
named P.p. major is a pleasing sort, with a
dense, compact habit, holding its ample foliage
longer than the old kind, and producing freely
fine heads of coloured leaves of a rosy hue.
This sort is well worthy of more attention for
decorative purposes. T^e white variety, P. p.
aiba^ is also pleasing for its lasting properties,
as it stands long in condition, and affords a
good contrast.— Qbo. Wbstlaio), Witletf Court
Gardens.

AZALEA HOLLISSONI.

5)HIS name has been given to a dwarf-
habited evergreen shrub recently im-
ported from the mountains of Japan
by the Messrs. BoUisson, and which, on account
of its profusion of elegant blossoms, will be a re-
marl»bly useful plant for smaU decorative work.
The plants, moreover, may probably prove to
be hardy, in which case it wDl be a valuable
addition to the alpine rockery, associatmg well
with Hhododendronferrugineum. It is of very
dwarf and compact growth, having spreading
branches, which bear small lance-shaped or sub-
spathulate strigosely hairy leaves. The flowers
aw small, about IJin. across, symmetrically
double, and of a light sahnon-red colour, very
freely produced, and of quite an ornamental
character. It may possible prove to be of a
distinct specific type from A. indica.

The plant first appeared in public at the
Boya! Botanic Society's Exhibition last summer,
and was Certificated as a promising subject for
snttll decorative plants and for market purposes.
It 10 of much the same habit as a set of dwarf-
growing Azaleas, laided by Mr. Oarioichael—

crosses, we believe, with A. amcena — and of
which some half-dozen veiy pretty and useful

AZALBA BOLLI880MI.

varieties are about to be sent out by Mr.
Williams, of Holloway. — ^T. Moobh.

DESTRUCTION OF LAWNS.
CwDT may not be out of place, at this season
flr ^^ the year, when so many renovation9
^^^ and improvements are being pushed
forward, to hint to the inexperienced the
evil— a growing one, it is to be feared—
of cutting up lawns into flower-beds, or
planting borders and groups of shrubs at
random, under the impression that this is im-
proving the garden. One may have a desire to
increase the apparent extent of the place, and to
show as much as possible the beauties of the sur-
rounding country, provided there is nothing
opened up that can offend the eye, or be otherwise
objectionable ; but nothing can be more strongly
opposed to good-taste than cutting up a green-
sward, and leaving a number of bare spaces, even
although they should be in geometrical form.
Let there be a flower-garden, by all means, but
only in its proper position. I lately visited a large
place of some note, and saw that nature only
had been assisted in the first instance, when the
beautiful grounds had been laid out. Beautiful
glades running into the park and plantations
beyond are some of the telling features, but in
the open lawn a large conservatory has been set
down, which obstructs the view and changes the
whole character of the scene. What is much
worse, a number of large circles are out out,
and piled up with earth till they form pyra-
mids ; and standing bare as they do, and mof^'
ofetj being seeft txbih ii^ailf dt^ |)omt of ti#

D 2

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THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0OI8T.

[ILLlCH,

{^rounds, they have a hideous appearance.
These minatural-looking intraders might be
slightly improved by planting them with
shrubs during the winter months, but it would
be much better to turf over the space after
levelling them down.

I could mention a number of gardens
which have of late years been deformed in a
similar manner, by introducing flower-beds,
small grotesque basins of water, and piles of
stones and roots in objectionable comers, show-
ing that persons devoid of taste and almost
of reason had been wasting time and means in
destroying what might otherwise be beautiful.
How many splendid views and striking objects
are shut out by nonsensical planting and
" rockeries," as they are called I We yet seem
to be much in the dark regarding what real
landscape gardening means, and what real
garden beauty consists of. If it is true, as we
were lately told by a ^reat nurseryi&an,
that one could count all the landscape gardeners
in Britain on his Angers, and then not take
up the whole ten, we have little to boast of.

Of course, one cannot associate the belting
of parks all round, shutting out all that is beau-
tiful, with landscape gardening ; neither do we
class those persons as " artists " or landscape
gardeners who cut up every available space
into geometrical shapes for flowers or shrubs.
Abundance of advice is written to meet the
wants of the veriest novice in a cultural sense,
but a proper course of instruction for educating
young horticulturists in a sound theory of land-
scape work is sadly wanting. Touches of syste-
matic and skilful planting are given occasionally,
but it is in very scanty proportion to the wants
of tllbse interested in the matter. It is pleas-
ing to read of the work which the Scottish
Horticultural Association is doing, and of the
prize ofiFered to young gardeners for the best
original design for a Flower garden. I hope to
see more successfully taken in hand that most
noble branch of all gardening, which has such
names as Brown, Mamock, and a few others
well known, associated with it, viz., Landscape
Gardening. — ^M. Temple, Impney Hall.

RANSOME^S TREE-FELLER.

'B some time past, the Messrs. A.
Bansome and Co., Engineers, of Stanley
Works, Chelsea, have been experiment*

ing in the construction of a steam-sawing
machine for the felling of trees, and they have
now brought it to such a degree of complete-
ness that, as announced in the daily papers, a
public trial, to which engineers, landed pro-
prietors, and other interested persons were
invited, took place on the 11th ult., on the
Boupell Park Estate, with very satisfactory
results.

The machine, which weighs between 8 and
4 cwt., consists of a steam cylinder of about
4 in. diameter, having a long stroke, attached
to a light cast-iron bed-plate, upon which it
is so arranged as to pivot on its centre, this
motion being worked by a hand-wheel taming
a worm, which gears into a toothed quadrant,
cast on the back of the cylinder, and its
range being sufficient to enable the saw to pass
through the largest trees ordinarily met with
without moving the bed-plate. The saw is fixed
to the end of the piston-rod, which is made to
travel in a true line when at work, by guides,
and the teeth of the saw are of such a form as
to cut only during the inward or return stroke.
By this device it is found that a saw up to
9 ft. or 10 ft. in length can be worked without
any straining apparatus or guide, as its own
cut is sufficient to guide the saw in a straight
line through the tree when once entered. As
the teeth offer no resistance to the outward
stroke, all possibility of the saw buckling is
obviated. A strong wrought-iron strut is
attached to the bed-plate, and this is furnished
with two fangs, which are made to bite into
the butt of the tree, by a chain passed round
the latter just below the saw-cut and tightened
by a powerful screw.

The necessary steam is supplied at a pres-
sure of 40 lb. to 60 lb. from a 3 or 4 horse-
power portable boiler, through a strong
flexible steam-pipe. As this pipe may be of
considerable length, the boiler can remain
stationary until the machine has cut down aU
the trees within a radius determined by the
length of the pipe. Four men are required to
work each tree-feller, one to guide the machine,
one to drive wedges into the cut to prevent
the tree from pinching the saw, and to control
the direction in which it falls; one to stoke
the boiler, and the fourth to clear away under-
wood from the tree next to be operated on.
Machines are made for felling trees up to 6 ft.,

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M78.1 bahsomb's tbbb-fblleb. 37

BAMSOME'S STEAM TBEE-FELLEB.

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THB VLOBIBT ASD POMOLOOIBT.

and there is no reason why they should not

be applicable to the largest timber that grows.

At the trial above referred to, an elm 83 in.

in diameter waif cut down in dominates; a

took 9 minutes,
roperly ground ;
ensions occupied
ir having taken

isive of the first
lut small, and of
or dOs. per day ;

with a gang of
)w days' practice
, as an ordinary
averaging 80 in.
>reover, ^^ as the
ihe ground-level,
liameter, several
lie timber, which
led by the axe."
ve its cost, on an

has to be done.

MlD-SKASOM VaRISTIXS.

Alexandra Koblesae. I Royal George.

THE A WO PEACH.

^HG vi^fieties of f^ew Peaches of American
and ^ngpsb origin have become so
very numerous, ^^at amateurs and others
who canno^ test ^\iQV^ as t^ey appear, and yet
wis|i to secf^re a s^|ectiofi of the very best,
wil) 4p v^^ tq a44 thif fine early melting
variety^ f>f Hfhic^i ypu fate^y published a figure,
to the^r f|0G](. ^e tree is hardy, a good
gsQwer, jpxj proline. an4 one of the finest and
best for fp^^li^ af \\ T^pen^ aboi|^ a fortnight
later ^^{^ |^a fjarly Qpsse Mignonne.
Flof er^ 1;^^ ; pps^W f^^^ i^ ^^y colour, and
quality ^ Sf^ (^^^T8^) whic^ it resembles,
except 1^ poii)| (pf earliness and freedom from
mildew* \ We grown it in an early house,
also as a pot-tree, and on walls, since 1860,
and although I have tested many of the new
varieties of niore recent introduction, I still
look upon this fine Feadi as one of the best,
either for general use or exhibition.

It will probably be useful to many fruit-
growers, both amateur and professional, if I
here add a list of eighteen of the very best
early, mid-season, and late varieties : —

Eablt Vabibties.

Dr. Hogg.
Grosse Mignonne.

Dymond.
Noblesse.

Tlolette H&tive.
Bellegarde.

Lats YAsixms.

Belle Banoe. Stirling Castle.

Baningion. Kectarine Peach.

Prince of Wales. Walbnrton Admirable.

Crawford's Eariy is large, handsome, fine for
exhibition, and decidedly the best of the
yellow-fleshed section. — ^W. Ooleman, Eastnor.

Early Groaae ICignonne.
Hale's Barly.

ABec,

CrimBOo &lande.

THE FUCHSIA AS A COOL

GREENHOUSE CLDiBEB.
^^ HAVE planted out here in a oool green-
^[o house some new varieties of Hybrid
^^^ Fuchsias, raised by E. J. Lowe, Esq.,
Highfield House, near Nottingham, and find by
their rapid growth and free-flowering habits,
that they will make excellent climbers when
trained on pillars. I have in the same house
a plant of the old Fuchsia Bose of Gastille,
14 ft. in height, trained on a pillar, and
during the summer months when in flower
it affords one of the grandest floral sights which
one can imagine in a Fuchsia. Mr. Lowe's
seedlings are named Columbine^ Sieva^ Anatu^
4dna^ Concordia, Inez^ DragonUna^ Phocea^
Violetta^ Odin^ and Bohin Hood, Of the
above sorts, I have selected Odin^ Adria^
Violetta^ and Columbine^ as being the strongest
^prowers, and evidently having some of the
strain of F. fulgens in them, from the shape and
size of the flowers.

The hardy Fuchsia Biccartoni^ when planted
out in the open air in a suitable soil, and kept
well watered in dry, hot summers, is, when in
flower, one of the most showy of all shrubs.
In the island pf Arran, Bute, on the south
coast of Ireland, and in the Isle of Wight, this
variety forms immense bushes, or rather little
trees, and is not liable to be out down in the
winter.

To see, however, the tender varieties of
Fuchsias in all their beauty, we must train
them as dimbers, with plenty of room for
them to get to a good size. When grown in
pots for exhibition purposes, it is only a few
cultivators that bring out collections of well-
grown plants, owing to their rambling habits,
unless, indeed, they are well stopped when
young. — ^William Tillbbt, Welbeck.

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1878.]

THE OCTLTITRB OP WALL-PBUITS^HAP. XIII.

THE CULTURE OF WALL FRUITS.

Chaptbb XIIL — ^Thb Apbioot.

^!^N comparison with other kinds of fruit-
^ro trees — the Peach, for example — the
^^^ Apricot is, as a general rule, a much
less tractable subject. There are some few
favoured, locaHties where the soil and subsoil
are so well suited to its requirements that the
labour involyed in its cultivation is reduced to
a minimum, owing to the very fruitful nature
of the wood produced by trees growing in such
soils and subsoils. These, however, are excep-
tions, and not the rule, and in most localities
it will be found that the Apricot will require
very careful management, both as regards roots
and branches, in the several stages of its growth,
in order to obtain an adequate amount of
success in the production of fruit.

The cultural manipulations of both Peach
and Apricot have many requirements common
to each other, but some of them differ in the
degree of their applicability to each. These
differences I hope to be able to point out in
the course of my remarks. In the first place,
I am inclined to the belief that the Apricot is
a more tender tree in its constitution than the
Peach, and more susceptible of injury to the
fruit in the early stages of growth in the spring,
principally owing to its habit of flowering so
much earlier, thereby exposing it, after being
well set, to the rigours of the severe frosts to
which we are so often subjected at the end of
April and beginning of May. This peculiarity
of the tree necessitates an increased amount of
care, both in the matter of protection and as
an influencing element in the case, in the en-
deavour to secure a fair amount of well-ripened
wood in the autumn. Indeed, this latter may
well be considered as one ,of the most import-
ant points to which the cultivator's attention
should be especially directed.

Now as this ripening of the wood is in a
very great measure dependent on the nature of
the soil and subsoil, and where these are not
naturally favourable, on the consequent forma-
tion of borders adapted to their requirements,
it will perhaps be best to commence by indica-
ting some of the essential points which it is
neoessury should be taken into consideration.
The first of these is an absolutely perfect
sy^m of drainage. No hnit-tree is more im-
patient of what we used to call a wet bottom.

but which, in these improving days, we must
refer to as the presence of stagnant water
amongst the roots ; although, let me observe
by way of parenthesis, that with perfect
drainage, no tree will bear with advantage a
greater amount of water during the growing
season and previous to the fruit ripening, than
the Apricot, but it must percolate away freely,
though not necessarily too quickly. It may,
then, be gathered from the tenour of the pre-
ceding remarks that the care which it will be
requisite to bestow upon the formation of the
borders in the first instance will very much
depend upon the nature of the subsoil. Some
subsoils are naturally of so porous a texture that
drainage is not necessary, and to break up the
bottom, and form the border npon it will be
quite sufficient, as these are the kind of subsoils
on which the Apricot flourishes best ; but
when the subsoil is of a very stiff character
and retentive of moisture, too much care cannot
be bestowed upon the formation of the bottom
of the borders.

The texture of the compost which is avail-
able for the borders should regulate the depth,
as provided the drainage is su£5cient, the
Apricot is not very particular as to the
materials of which it is composed ; so that if
the staple of the compost is a strong holding
loam, two feet of depth will be ample, but with
a very light and porous soil through which
water passes freely, a greater depth of compost
will be beneficial.

The necessary depth being settled, there
must be below it at least one foot of rub-
ble. Many things are available for this

purpose, and amongst others the olinkers
from furnaces form very durable drainage;
broken stones may likewise be used, but from
choice I greatly prefer old bricks, broken up to
about the same size as the stones used for
macadamizing roads. The bottom of the
border should slope outwards from the wall
sufficiently to carry the water off to the front,
where there should be an additional depth of a
foot taken out, and also filled with rubble.
This latter must have an outlet drain, and if
that has to be carried any distance, it is best to
lay down a four-inch drain-pipe, and cover that
also with rubble about a foot in depth. This

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THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOOIST.

iUAMca,

kind of drain in stiff land will last for genera-
tions. If a conyenient outlet is very difficult
of attainment, it may suffice to dig a well, say
six feet wide and three deep, below the bottom
of the front drain, and fill it up with clinkers
and rubble. Before wheeling in the compost,
if it is possible, let the rubble be covered with
some fresh-cut sods of turfy, fibry loam. What-
ever the staple of the compost may consist of,
there should be an admixture of broken bones,
lumps of charcoal, a sprinkling of salt, and a
fair addition of broken chalk, the latter being
the most important. — John Cox, Redleaf,

ME,

IN MEMORY OF

SAMUEL COOPER

[Who Died on December 24, aged 62 years, and was
Interred at Bowdon, December 27, 1877.]

Come, mourn with me, if thou, indeed, art one
Who loves the tme nobility of worth !

Mourn for a Loying Heart for ever gone —
As tme a Friend as ever lived on earth.

One of large Heart and intellect refined,
. Whose taste was visible wher^er he moved ;
One with a painter's grace and poet's mind,
Who lived surrounded by the gifts he loved.

Tes, mourn with me ! — shall goodness pass away.
And we forget the virtue Time reveres ?

Can we behold that form — now breathless clay —
Declare its worth, and yet deny our tears ?

No ! blest are tears when from the heart they spring ;

Nor unobserved by Heaven they fall to Earth.
The noblest tribute to the grave we bring.

Is manly sorrow for departed worth !

Tet, oh ! not dead — though dark the shadow lowers,
He's living still where life is perfect bliss.

The grief, the loss, the bitterness is ours !
But his the gain — the immortal vantage his !

Not dead ! The sun may from the west decay ;

We know its absence is but for a time ;
The soul who's setting we lament to-day

Shall find a heavenly mom to rise sublime !

Whilst standing by his grave, midst snow and
showers,

We gently lay him in the silent tomb ;
Some loving hearts had not forgot the fiowers

He loved to plant and tend, and see them bloom.

No ! though we mourn his loss as one of mind.

To teach and benefit his fellow-men,
We lift our prayers to Heaven and wait resigned.

Knowing there comes a day to meet again.

Peace to his grave ! be ever blest his soul !

Deep in our hearts his memory we will hoard,
For never did the bell of mourning toll

For one more loved, more honoured, or deplored.
Qardenei's Magazine*

TABLE DECORATION— A HINT.

^HEBE there is a great demand for cut
flowers, especially for the purpose of
table decoration, any contrivance that
will serve to lessen the quantity required at this
time of the year will be found to be a great
boon; and those who throughout the winter
months have large demands made upon them
for the supply of the table and other decorations,
besides button-holes and a few choice sprays for
the ladies every night, will know how to appre-
ciate such help.

We have found the common Club-moss
Lycopodium denticulatwn [more correctly called
Sdaginella Kraussiana] very useful for the
table. We use it mostly on the breakfast-table,
mixed with a few flowers, when desirable. We
had a lot of 3-in. pots made of tin in the ordinary
way, and painted them green, of a tint as nearly
as possible like that of the Lycopod, which is
planted in them, and if well attended to,
soon makes nice tufts, falling over the sides of
the tins, and almost covering them, which it is
intended it should do. While the plants are
growing they must not be allowed to stand at
all close together, otherwise they do not become
so well or so equally furnished, which must be
avoided, for when on the table the whole plant
is fully exposed to view.

When required for use, well-grown fresh
plants are selected, and sprinkled very lightly
with water, the drops of which are shaken ofip,
so that none are left to fall on the cloth. They
are then set into small glass saucers, which, if
the plants have done well, should be also covered
by them. Thus employed, it is astonishing what
a fresh and cheerful effect they have, and how
by their aid a few cut flowers can be made to go
a long way.

We intend to obtain some common 6-in.
saucers, and plant the Lycopod in them, and
use them in a similar way for large tables,
especially for the breakfast-table, where they are
most appreciated. With a dozen of these and
the same number of small glasses, each pro-
vided with only one flower (which, however,
must be good), and a piece of Maiden-hair
fern, a very nice and pleasing display can
be had — ^better, we think here, than where
so many grand flowers are introduced.— A. H.,
Thoreshy,

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1878. ]

THB AXTBIOULA^HAP. XV.

SPIR^A PALMATA ELEGANS.

[Plate

i)HIS new Spircea is a grand acquisition
for our collections of hardy plants, one to
which, in fact, it is not possible for the
illostration to do fall justice, since the represen-
tation of its light and elegant inflorescence,
and the chaste effect of its crimson stamens and
white petals, is. beyond the art of the painter.

M. Ed. Pynaert, of Ghent, believes that there
is a great fntore before this plant, which is de-
scribed as a hybrid between two parents, which
both occupy an eminent position in the horti-
cultural world, namely, Spircea palmata and
Astilbe Japonica ; and that it will be propa-
gated and cultivated extensively for the orna-
mentation of greenhouses and apartments as a
forced plant. From this point of view, the new
Spir»a is superior to the original S, palmata^
since it is said to bear a high temperature
better than this latter, whose flowering some-
times miscarries when it is urged on too
rapidly. Whether or not this novelty is really
a hybrid, as is supposed, or only a seedling
variation of S, palmata^ as seems possible, it
will be recognised as a hardy herbaceous plant
of great and delicate beauty, and one which is

463.]

likely to be freely grown for market and for
decorative purposes. We are therefore ex-
tremely happy to be the medium of introducing
it to British cultivators.

The novelty now figured most nearly resem-
bles Spircsa palmata in its foliage, but its
inflorescence is of an intermediate character,
and more branched than that of its mother,
which is terminal. The individual flowers have
pure white petals, and in their centre a tuft of
red stamens, which, by and by, spread out over
the petals, these flowers being crowded upon
the branches of the panicles. A peculiar and
distinctive character is found in the increased
number of leaflets in the foliage, which are
twice as many as those of S, palmata itself.

It is a vigorous plant, attains 2 ft. or more
in height, and is perfectly hardy, growing
freely in any reasonably good garden soil and
eligible situation, and propagating easily, so
that it may be expected, says M. Pynaert,
" promptly to make the tour of the world."
It is certiinly a very fine subject for decoration,
and a welcome addition to our hardy flower-
gardens. — T. MOOBB.

THE AURICULA.

Chapter XV. — Descbiptive Notes or some Leading Vabieties.

^ETWEEN the months of February and
April, both inclusive, it is hardly
possible that the florist who loves
Auriculas can read, or talk, or think of his
favourites too much, or find in all the time
which he can give them, one dull, laborious,
unrewarded hour.

There is never any floricultural hard labour
in the cultivation of the Auricula, and it is
well that that which-is the heaviest in a round
of treatment not irksome, though precise, occurs
at a time when the plant is not at the most
bewitching period of its growth. For all
through spring, from the first snowdrop to the
earliest blush of apple-blossom, it is hard to do
anything more with Auriculas than helplessly
admire them. How many a visit that we pay
them, ends in little more than an all-absorbing
look-round among the plants ! How often the
watering-can hangs in the forgetful hand by

the slenderest hold, that may even incon-
tinently relax I And how often is the note-book
closed, as if it were superfluous to write of so
much beauty to its very face, and unmindful,
in the blissful moments of possession, of what
value will these notes be when absence comes I
Still it is no labour lost to work sometimes
with leisure hand, but active eye. No mischief
should then lurk undetected ; while the know-
ledge gained of the habits of a plant, and the
identity of its often narrowly-distinguished
varieties, is always very useful. It is pleasant
to be able to visit a friend's collection of
Auriculas at any time, and ^' spot " him all his
known varieties without any slavish obligation
of reference to his labels, though probably for
the sake both of brevity and caution, these will
be in cypher ; while if one unhappily suspects
having to deal with some unholy, ill-favoured
relic of the dark ages of florist depravity and

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deception, it would be well that the eye could
correct a false tongue, and that when yon ask
for a particular plant you can see that you get it.

In giving brief outlines of the habit and
character of some of our best Auriculas, I wish
to protect both our readers and myself, as did
the Eev. G. Jeans, when undertaking, some
twenty years ago, a similar work on the
Auriculas of his day. Mr. Jeans, whose
powers of observation were most keen and
accurate, had several of his descriptions re-
turned to him as misfits, variously incorrect ;
and he had equally to discard the amendments,
as disagreeing with the evidence of his own
experience. The differences mainly consisted
in shades of ground-colours and degrees of
constitutional vigour ; variations which changes
in soil and situation seem ever able to effect in
a plant of such sensitive temperament as the
Auricula.

There is some compensation, if not consola-
tion, to the unfortuately situated, in the fact
that no one grower of Auriculas is able to grow
every variety better than anybody else. "We
all have our strong points and our weak points.
On a florist visit to (for example) Halifax, I
should say to myself, "Now for a sight of
' Colonel Taylor ' in all his greatness," while at
the same time wondering if I shall find my
patient friend with his struggling bit of
' Freedom ' yet alive.

Pure air and pure light are so much to the
Auricula, that with these advantages most of
the sorts naturally do well under proper care.
Such is my experience here, but for all that I
cannot yet grow George Levick as it grows
with Mr. Simonite in his most dismal town,
where — to borrow a conceit from Charles
Dickens — ^tbe smuts come down like lai^e snow-
flakes gone into mourning for the death of the
sun ! Neither can I do Imperator as it has
been done by growers in abominably besmoked
localities in Lancashire. On the other hand,
are Smiling Beauty and Page's Champion,
that flourish here, but refuse to thrive in some
exceedingly foul atmospheres, as a glowing
example of which, our Vulcanic SheflSeld will, of
course, pleasantly suggest itself.

As a preface to the Notes which follow, I
have only to say that as many now take an
interest, old or new, in the Auricula, I am
yeiy willing to add axiythmg I can that may

be of vital interest to those who grow, or wish
to grow, Auriculas.

(SBEEN EDGES.

Colonel Taylob. — Plant of free and hand-
some habit. Foliage rich green, broad, strongly
veined, roughly serrated, with edge incurved
when young. Truss large, carried up with
such a round of guard-leaves as to be a dis-
tinctive mark of the variety. Pip of fair size
and good substance, can be round and flat, bat
often seen with petals pointed ; tube good in
form, size, and colour, which is a clear yellow
that lasts well. Paste not always dense enough,
and apt to run thin towards its outer edge,
giving the flower a cloudy look, but when in
good order, a pure white, dense, broad, and
circular. Ground-colour pure black, fading
with age to a violet tint, of good breadth, and
boldly laid on. Edge a delicious, magnificent
green, exquisitely pure, vivid, and enduring—
one of the very best of greens, and occupying
its fair proportion on the pip.

"Booth's Fbebdom. — ^A variety not plentiful
now in any hands, and one that seems very
impatient of any neglect or wrong treatment.
No one would suppose from healtiiy plants of
it that it had a deUcate constitution, but it has
been so long and often seen in an emaciated
condition, that it may well have a name for
being delicate. After severe struggles, it has
come round with me to be one of the best
growers I have, and has kept itself up. Plant
when in health is of bold habit. Foliage glossy
green, moderately abundant, large and broadly
pear-shaped, with edges irregularly creased and
serrated. Truss with and without guard-leaf,
and always disappointingly small ; a very strong
plant, giving but a lean-looking head of 6 to 8
pips, carried oh a stem that proves to be too
long. The buds in their infancy are very
peculiar, being merely a few many-pointed
green stars clustered together. Pip medium
size; at its best, fairly circular, but often
angular, of good substance and flat. Tube a
good yellow, round, and closed by the anthers
meeting towards the centre. Paste bright,
pure, and dense, but sadly angular, especially
if the petals are so too. Ground-colour a superb
velvety jet-black, that never fails ; sometimes
too broad, but always of richest texture, giving
the flower a high finish, and finely defined
against the dark-green edge and bright white
paste. Edge a deep pure green, the darkest shade
of any of the greens, and of unsurpassed beauty,
though sometimes not broad enough in pro-
portion to ground-colour.

Pbincb op Greens. — Plant one of the hand-
somest of the green-leaved Auriculas, and of
capital constitution. Foliage very abundant,
broad, curly, roughly-toothed, of a polished
smooth bright green, not veined. Truss very

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THB AmaOULA— CHAP. XV.

liurge, sometimes from 25 to 85 pips ; a great
contrast to Freedom. The stem carries a
strap-shaped guard-leaf, of form very distinct.
The pip IS yery circular and very flat, and of
medium size or under, in consequence of which
the abundant buds will require timely and judi-
dous thinning. The plant, however, will carry
1 1 or more, if in fine order. The foot-stalks are
▼exy long, throwing the flowers far apart, and
if over-tiiinned the truss will have a spoiled
appearance. Tube large, round, and open, of
such poor substance and colour as to let down
the whole flower long before the other parts
are worn out. In a few days the tube bleaches,
making the whole flower look cold and watery.
The golden tube is a grand property, and with
the expressiveness, life, and Are it gives, a flower
possessing it, though weak and poor in other
respects, looks rich and beautiful. In Prince
of Greens the paste is very circular, and it might
often with advantage be a little broader and a
little denser. Ground-colour pure black, of
great power, beautifully proportionate, and con-
stant to the last. Edge a rich, pure, faultless
green that, with the body-colour, lives fresh on
the pip after ^e tube has died to a livid
purple.

Anna. — ^A much freer grower than its parent,
Freedom. Foliage plentiful, of upright pointed
habit when young, and afterwards recurving,
balloon-shaped, and much serrated on the
Qpper edges, much veined, and of a deep green ;
good truss. Pip large, of great substance, and
broad petals very circular and flat. Tube
yellow, open, round, and bold. Paste brilliant
and broad and circular. Ground-colour broad,
bold, and of a curious dead-black, never chang-
ing. The edge is a dark pure green, broad and
lasting. This flower has none of Freedom's
angularities, and also not its brilliancy, but it
is a distinct and correct green-edge.

Pagb's Ohampion. — ^Where this variety
succeeds well, it makes a very free and hand-
some plant. Foliage glossy, bright green, very
broad and thick in texture, richly curved and
veined, edges crumpled and serrated. Truss
Uuge, with or without a small guard-leaf, and
generally more pips than it can equally perfect.
These, however, should not be thinned, upon
this variety, till it can be seen whether the
interior is tolerably correct, as the paste is
often severely cut. by the stiff petal segments,
and the tube is apt to be large and awkward.
Pip of medium size and great substance ;
petals numerous, short and round, making
i|p a cixeular outline — ^the pips are flat at
their best, upon foot-stalks sometimes short
enough to draw the head rather too close
toge^ier. Tube a fine lasting yellow, round
and large. Paste circular, dense, and
bright, steering at times from encroachments
on its breadth by the lavge tube, and on its

outer edge from cracks at the petal-segments.
Ground-colour a rich reddish plum, of gr et
beauty when fresh, but losing its brilliancy before
the rest of the flower has grown old ; heavily laid
on, and always broad enough, sometimes too
much so, for the proportion of edge. Not in-
frequentiy the pips bloom with a convex sur-
face of paste and ground-colour, and it becomes
impossible to get the flower flat. Edge *&
beautiful, vivid, pure emerald-green, of great
refinement.

Impebatob. — A good grower, making a large,
well-furnished plant, though never so with me,
owing to the heart continually dividing into
heads after tbe bloom. Foliage smooth bright
green, serrated on the upper portions, long,
pear-shaped, and plentiful. This variety should
have shown its truss before spring, to be in
good character. Indeed, all the green-edges
should be truss-bare early ; the only exception
I know being Prince of Greens, which has
always given me the best blooms from a truss
formed later, and its worst from one bare in
winter. With many brilliant points latent in
its nature, no flower so commonly makes a hash
of it as Lnperator, being often seen in a dis-
graceful condition. Truss large, carried on a
stem much too long, small guard-leaf, and pips
entirely devoid of meal, an exception to the
rule that Auriculas of even the greenest habit
will honour their flower-stems and pips with
this graceful decoration. Pip large, of stout
substance, with petals more or less pointed,
often obnoxiously so ; flattens fairly, but must
not be exposed to a chill. Tube good in colour
and very lasting, round, and of good proportion,
paste at its best, brilliant circular and sufficient,
but often seen in the vilest condition, — 1.6.,
thin, rough, and scattered. Ground-colour a
splendid enduring black, — a very grand feature
when correct, but often not broad enough, and
" foxy." Edge a pure, superb, rich, bright
green, apt to be left too broad when the
ground-colour fails in volume. A now
almost traditional truss of Imperator, once
grown by Colonel Lee, lives in the memory
of our oldest growers as the most wonderful
example of a green-edged Auricula ever seen by
mortal eye, but the number of times it has
been seen before and since as the most execrably
bad, is past all computation. I have gone so
far as to knock Imperator's head off, as a scan-
dal to the house.

Talisman. — A seedling, raised by Mr.
Simonite, from Admiral Napier, to which it
is greatly superior, rather surprisingly so, since
its parent has faults so ingrained as angularity
and instability of form. Talisman is a lovely
green plant, with a dust of gold-meal on its
tender growths. Foliage very plentiful, hand-
somely recurved, broad and thick, and stoutly
serrated. Truss large and well carried, with

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[March,

guard- leaves. Pip large, strikingly bold, round
and flat. Tube good yellow, which lasts, bold
and circular. Paste dense, sn^ooth, broad and
bright and circular. Body black, of very solid
volume, with bold blunt dashes into the area
of the edge, on which, however, it does not
trespass. Edge a pure rich green, of sufficient
width.

I think among the Green-edges these few
will suffice to stand as foreground-figures repre-
sentative of their class. Other known varieties
of less prominent position and so less coveted
may, if need be, stand in less full outline behind
these foremost ones; while seedlings as yet
unknown away from home may hereafter form
a group of themselves, when they shall have
given sufficient earnest of a brilliant career. —
F. D. HOBNEB, Kirkhy Malzeard^ Ripon.

MARKET PLANTS.— n.

Otolamens and Mignonette.

1)HE Persian Cyclamen is one of the
earliest autumn-flowering plants sent
into market. It is grown in enormous
quantities for this purpose, and it is valuable,
in that it supplies charming pot-plants, as well
as an abundanoe of cut flowers. During the
past fifteen or twenty years, quite a revolution
has taken place in the treatment of the Cyclamen
persictim^ and one of many advantages resulting
therefrom is that it has now ceased to be a
spring-flowering plant merely, but is to be
had in flower as early as October, while by
means of successional sowing, relays of plants
can be had up to April and May. Two old
practices have passed away into the limbo of
exploded notions; one was the roastmg pro-
cess, — ^that of placing the bulbs out-doors
fully exposed to the sun, for the purpose of
ripening them o£P, as it was supposed ; the other,
of dividing the bulbs, or corms, as they are
termed, for propagating purposes. This was
always a risky and unsatisfactory, as well as a
slow mode of increase.

The grower of Cyclamens for market sows
his seed in August, soon after it is gathered.
It is said the seed will germinate much
more quickly and more regularly when sown
directly after being gathered than if kept to
the following spring; be this as it may,
August sowing is a great advantage in
point of time. At sowing-time a large
number of 48 or 5-in. pots are prepared, well
drained, and filled with a good light soil, of

which leaf-mould and silver-sand form a good
proportion. From a dozen to fifteen seeds are
sown in each pot, and pressed down firmly into
the soil. The pots are then placed in a low
span-roofed house, where there is a gentle
bottom-heat, the house being devoted entirely
to Cyclamen-raising. The surface-soil is kept
moist, and pieces of glass are placed over the
pots containing anything of more than usual
value. The pots are stood on high level stages,
bringing them as near the glass as possible. By
the end of September the seed-leaves are
visible, and through the autumn and winter the
young plants are kept gently moving on in a
warm, moist atmosphere, and green-fly is kept
down by constant attention.

As soon as the turn of days is reached — say
the third week in January — the plants are
carefully lifted from the seed-pots and potted
singly into small GO-pots, and kept in a warm
and somewhat close temperature for a time.
By the end of February they are brought nearer
the light and also to the glass, but still keeping
them close and warm. The first three or four
leaves, being the seed-leaves, soon fall away.
Then the conns swell quickly, and put forth leaves
showing the peculiar markings of the variety.
During April and May the most f or?rard plants
will be potted into 48 or 5-in. pots, the usual
blooming size ; and these are grown on to
fiower in October following, being kept during
the summer in cold frames, kept freely watered,
shaded from the sun, receiving plenty of air,
and being grown as sturdy as possible. As
some of the seeds will be quicker to start into
growth than others, a batch of seedlings will be
certain to provide a good succession. At the
end of September, as the plants open for bloom,
they are taken into a apan-roofed house, where
a nice equable temperature is maintained, and
they soon throw up and expand their flowers.
In this way Cyclamens are had in flower in
from fourteen to fifteen months from the time
of sowing. In all its stages of growth the
Cyclamen needs constant attention, and it well
repays it. It is very subject to attacks of
green-fly, which cluster about the buds ; bat
this pest is quickly subdued by fumigation
with tobacco-smoke. The extent to which
Cyclamens are grown for market is shown by
the fact that a large cultivator like Mr. H. B.
Smith, of Ealing Dean, rears annually from
15,000 to 18,000 plants.

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FBUIT PBOSPBOTS.— VILLA GABDENING MARCH.

Mignonette. — Tliis is grown most exten-
siyely for market, and some growers excel
in producing it in superb condition. They
have a peculiar strain of seed, best fitted for
the purpose, and they take care to preserve it.
From the time of sowing to the time of mar-
keting, Mignonette occupies but one pot ; for
it is sown in that in which it blooms, namely,
48-size. The seed is sown from the end of
August until the end of March. Mignonette is
marketed some eight or nine months in the
year, extending from early in January up to
September. The pots are well drained, and
then filled with good and rather light soil, a
few seeds scattered over the surface and pressed
into the soil, a very light covering added ; and
the pots are then placed in low cold frames, in
which the pots are brought near the glass. The
seed quickly germinates, and when large enough
the plants are thinned out to about eight or
nine, and then as they attain height they are
put into frames a little deeper, till they are 8
or 9 to 12 inches in height, and in bloom.
The process is very simple ; and here, again,
constant attention lies at the root of success.

A pot of well-grown Mignonette shows several
well-grown, robust - looking, finely - branched
plants, with good spikes of deliciously fragrant
flowers. It is in great demand in the market,
and growers of good stuff find a ready sale.
What in slang language, as in correct English,
is known as ^^ knack," is largely possessed by
the men who grow for market ; and there is
this substantial reward Ijdng in store for them
—the best plants always command the highest
price. — ^BiOHABD Dean, Ealing^ W.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.

is almost too soon to write of these.
Fruit cultivators are, in fact, much given
to counting their chickens before they are
hatched. Well, perhaps that is better than not
counting at all — the miserable fate of those who
have no anticipations, and have had to live for
the past few years — writing broadly— on the
empty husks of barrenness. True, ^'hope
deferred maketh the heart sick." But it is
equally or more true, though seldom stated,
that the heart would be still more sick without
hope. And it is thus with fruit-growing and
the seasons. If once more we are doomed to a

fruitless season out of doors, let us at least
snatch the fieeting pleasure of anticipating a
harvest. Possibly, too, this will prove the
likeliest means of reaping one. Despair is no
match for hope as a stimulus to exertion. The
former weakens effort ; the latter inspires with
strength, and quickens even lethargy into
diligence.

It is a pleasure, and it may also prove profit-
able to announce that the fruit prospects are
propitious. The trees not only rested, but
recruited last summer. The majority of them
bristle with fruit-buds, not quite so plump
and large as usual, perhaps, nor so forward.
There is a world of meaning and of hope-
fulness in the phrase, ^' Later than usual."
A cold time towards the end of February and
throughout March would prove the salvation
of the Apple, Pear, and Plum crops. Peaches,
Nectarines, Apricots on walls, while more
exposed to danger, alike from their greater
precocity and their tenderness, are also far more
susceptible to efficient protection. Glass copings,
in fact, 18 in. or 2 ft. wide, draped with woollen
netting, or canvas hanging down to within a
yard of the foot of the wall, forms practically
an impenetrable barrier against ten or twelve
degrees of frost. Beyond that, we are powerless
to protect our superior fruit-trees without glass,
or even something more. Let us hope, however,
that as the season has been thus far exceptional
throughout, so also severe late spring frosts
may not succeed this nuld and wet winter ;
and if not, there is good prospect of a fruitful
season. — ^D. T. FiSB^IIardwicke,

VILLA GARDENING.— MARCH,

TILL does winter stay its threatening
hand, and unless some very unusual
break in the weather occurs, it may be
assumed that the winter is past, and the spring
is at hand. There is yet much need for watch-
fulness on the part of the gardener for
experience shows that springs are fickle — late,
cold, and inclement; and however much the
gardener may desire to retard his crops, he
finds himself unable to arrest the progress of
that irresistible force which nature exerts,

" When all Earth's buried beauties have new birth."

Gbebnhousb. — A very useful old gardenbg
book contains the following good advice to
amateur gardeners at this season of the year : —
^^ Follow up the old maxim that ^ prevention is
better than cure,' and fumigate about every
nine days or fortnight, but do not proceed to
extremes ; moderate doses frequently repeated
will be found most efficacious. Or you may
fumigate as soon as you see a single insect

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THB FLOBIBT AND P0M0L0OI8T.

for if you wait until there are thoosands which
you can see with your naked eye, there will be
also tens of thousands which you cannot see
without the aid of glasses. The evening or
during wet weather is the best time to perform
this operation, or an artificial shower may be
effected, by using the engine or syringe on the
outside of the structure, and thereby filling up
the laps of the glass with water. All this may
appear troublesome, but if you do not keep the
plants clean, you cannot reasonably expect
them to thrive " ; and now that many plants
are getting into budding growth, green-fly
will gather rapidly, and «o quarter must
be given them. Fuchsias that have been
put by to rest during the winter how need at-
tention, as they are stai'ting into growth ; the
plants need to be turned out of their pots, the
roots trimmed by removing the long main ones,
leaving any small fibres, and repotting the plants
in as small pots as will take them, using a fine
light rich soil. Then, as soon as they break
freely into growth, the branches should be cut
back to the strongest shoots, leaving a good
regular frame-work out of which to grow a fine
specimen. The best Fuchsias for an amateur
are those raised from cuttings struck in August
and wintered in small pots ; now is the time to
repot them, for growing on rapidly and well.
Out-back plants of Heliotropes^ one of the sweet-
est of early summer-blooming plants in the con-
servatory, should be similarly treated ; and there
are other subjects that will suggest themselves to
the villa gardener, among these Zonal Pelargo^
niums, for the summer display. As an increase in
growth in all plants is now taking place, a more
Uberal allowance of water must be given, and a
well-managed house begins to repay the care
bestowed on the subjects during the winter, for
Ericas^ Epacrises^ Cyclamens^ Cinerarias^ CameU
lias, Hyacinths^ Narcissi^ &;c., are getting gay.
Cleanliness, air, light, and water are now the
^at essentials, and last, but not least, room.
Plants are often too much crowded, but it is
better to grow fewer plants and grow them well,
than to have a large number with but few good
specimens. Bemove the surface earth in pots
that has become moss-covered and sour ; a little
good soil added as a top-dressing does much
good to them.

Cold Gbeenhousb. — ^Much of the remarks
just given applies here also, for airiness, room,
and cleanliness are all-important. In the
warmest portion of the house^ Cyclamens^
Cinerarias^ Primulas^ and such-like will do
well, but they are all the better for a little
warmth. In our own house, berried Solanums
are still gay ; and the cold frame is supplying
Ptimroses^ Polyanthuses^ Scilla sihirica, Tri*
teleiaSy Anemone fidgens^ Hepaticas^ Hellebores
especislly Helleboruscolchicus^ Crocus^ and other
spring-fiowering bulbs. Large-flowered Pelar^

gonitwis have wintered admirably, but as Uiey
are very apt to become affected with green-fij,
much close attention is requisite. That most
fragrant of spring flowering plants, Aponogeton
distachyon^ is blooming freely in a small tank.
It is well not to unduly push forward any
plants ; give them plenty of air, and let Naiora
do her work in her own time.

Flo WEB Qabden. — Any last touches required
to put the flower garden in order before the
summer season comes on should now be givezu
Grass-plots should be levelled and rolled, so
that there may be a firm, even surface for the
scythe or mowing-machine. Box Edgings
should now be replanted where required, all
kinds of shrubs thinned and shortened bacl^,
and the soil about them made neat and tidy.
The orderly appearance of the surroundings of
a flower garden have much to do with en*
hanoing its appearance. Thin-out and nail-up
Creepers^ also Climbing Roses; but as nailing
09cupie8 a great deal of time, it is a great saying
of labour to train them to galvanised wire-'
netting, fastened to the wall behind the plantt*
Towards the end of the month prune Ro9e$^
and mulch with/ some rotten dung. Clematises
are very active, and the strong summer-bloom-
ing varieties of which Jackmanni is such a con-
spicuous type, should be cut back almost close
to the ground, when they are required to cover
low waUs and fences ; but if they are required
to get up high, they should be liiortened back
accordingly. When pruning is done, fork the
soil gentiy about the roots, and mulch with
manure. The spring-flowering CUmaHsesiaxia^
not be cut bitck, but the deid wood cut oat
merely. Keep the surface-soil of the mixed
border cleansed and well stirred in drying
weather, and top-dress with leaves and dung.

Cold Fbambs. — ^Plenty of air is now the
rule, and when the weather is mild, but with a
soft rain falling, a gentle shower will do no
harm. When there is a strong wind and driving
rain, tilt up the lights at the side opposite to
that from which the wind is blowing. Awi*
aulas and Polyanthuses should be top-dressed
without delay ; the latter are rapidly coming
into bloom. Make a note of the lilac Tarie(j
of Triteleia uniflora to grow in pots ; it if
charming in colour and very free. Bedding*
plants in store-boxes must now have water
when required, and be gone over occasionally
to pick o£P all damp and decaying leaves.

Kitchen Gabden. — Asparagus-}aQdis should
now be dressed with well-rotted manure, fodc-
ing it in lightly, so as not to injure the crowns,
Those who are fond of Jerusalem Artichokes
should now plant a few, much as Potatos are
planted. Sow Beans and Peas for successive
crops, selecting the dwarf, wrinkled varieties of
the latter for small gardens. Sow also Cektrfj
Brussels Sprouts^ James's InUrmediqU^ aiid

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1878. ]

OABBEN GOSSIP.

Long Red Stirret/ CatroU^ the latter for
the main crop, Leeks^ Onions^ Lettuces^
Radishes^ &c. Take advantage of fine drying
weather to sow seeds in the open ground, but
Celery and other things raised in boxes can be
sown at any time. Eaise a few Cucumbers and
Vegetable marrows in heat, for planting out
by-and-by, as required.

Fruit Gabdbn. — Pruning and nailing must
be proceeded with without delay, and should
further planting be necessary, lose no time in
doing it. Oooseberries^ Cwrants, and liasp'
berries should be pruned at once, and the soil
dug about them. All this cannot be completed
too soon, for a general adyance is now percep-
tible, owing to the balmy influences that are
abroad. — Sububbanus.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

Annual Meeting of the Hotal

HoBTictTLTUBAL SOCIETY, on February

12, which was presided over by Lord

Aberdare, was rery thinly attended. The Cooncil
in their Beport to the Fellows, referred, as they
were bound to do, to the work of the several Com-
mittees, as haTing been most assidaously performed
— these being, in fact, the backbone of the Society.
The Society's Journal was referred to apologetically,
with a hope that it would shortly reappear in a form
worthy of the Society, which it has not done lately ;
. and we may add a hope that if at all it will also appear
more promptly. The Provincial Show fond having
been misappropriated by a former Council, " cannot
be recovered," and so the form of guarantee for the
Preston Show is to provide for the future security
from *' misappropriation " of any profits from such a
source. Chiswiok stands out nobly as having done
its work well. *' The ordinary receipts for the year
have exceeded the expenditure by £11 178. Id., to
which must be added the sum of £386 19s. 74.,
levied upon and paid by the Society in past years
ID respect of rates, which should have been paid by
her Majesty's Commissioners, and which they have
repaid to the Society." If the Horticultural body
will now but rally round the old flag, there seems to
be some hope for the future.

— ABb have received from Mr. Shaw, of
Rnchfield, Wolverhampton, the first part of
his Illustbations of Febns fob Auateubs,
an attempt to supply the means of identifying ferns
without much letter-press description. The idea is
a good one. Beduced figures of twelve species are
given on a page, and opposite these are somewhat
enlarged portions of the same, the intermediate
pages being occupied by descriptive notes. The
reduced figures of the plants are in many cases not
very characteristiOf while the figures professing to
g^ve an enlarged view of the parts are in them-
selves BO smsdl as to be practically useless, though
in the space devoted to them there is room for
much better figures. Were these indeed larger and
better worked out, so as to give the details with
more clearness and accuracy, the book would be
much more likely to be usef id.

— ®hb SoheduiiX of Prizes for the Show

of the National Aubicula Socibtt (Southern
Section), at the Crystal Palace, on April 25, has
been issued for some time, and can be had of the
Hon. Secretary, E. S. Dodwell, Esq., 11 Chatham
Terrace, Larkhall Bise, Clapham, S.W. The prizes
are similar to those offered last year. There is yet
a deficiency in the subscriptions for prize-money,
which the officials would gladly see filled up, and
contributions towards which would be thankfully
acknowledged by Mr. Dodwell. The rules and con-
ditions for showing are the same as those of last
year, the innovations then introduced being, we
believe, generally regarded as advantages.

— 2n districts where Pea-sticks are not
readily obtained, Wileiksoiy's Tbaineb fob
Peas, represented in the annexed figure, may
be recommended as a handy substitute. With ordi-
nary care, they last a lifetime. Having feet and
stays complete, they can be fixed by any labourer,
and be put down after the peas are sown without
disturbing them. The figures represent one of the

Pea- trainers, which can be adapted to any length of
row by increasing the number of intermediate
standards, each row requiring a straining standard,
a terminating standard, and one or more intermedi-
ates, according to the length, the usual distance
apart being 15 ft. The smaller figure is the strainer.
A is the head through which the wire is passed. The
wire is pulled tight and cut off, and the ends just
turned back. On the end of the head, near the
screw, are two teeth which work in cogs on the
standard, preventing the wire from slipping back
when turned round, which is done by inserting a
square key in the end. B shows the end and key -hole.
After the wire is as tight as required, the nut, C, is
tightened up with the spanner, thus making it im-
possible for the pulley to turn back. The inventor
is Mr. Wilkinson, of Newton-lo-Willows, Lancashire.
A form with vertical wires is made for Scarlet
Bunners, and the trainers are also recommended for
Baspberries and espalier fruit-trees.

— Us excellent portrait of John OLATTDitrs
Loudon, painted by Linnell, has been secured
by subscription, and will be presented by the
subscribers to the Linnean Society. The portrait
is half the size of nature, an excellent likeness, and
remarkable as a work of art; and it has been
obtained at a cost much below its real value, on
condition of its being placed in the Linnean
Society's rooms.

— St has been observed that in certain
soils and sitnations, more than in others,

VABIEaATED-LBAYED PLANTS show a disposi-
tion to lose their variegation. Now, it has been
ascertained by recent experiments that the ashes of
white and of green leaves differ very much in their

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THE FLOBIST AND POHOLOGIST.

[MAKCH.

chemical composition. According to these experi-
ments, the ashes of white leaves of Acer Negondo
contain 45*05 of potash, while those of the green
contain but 12'61. The white leaves contain 10*89
of lime, the green 89*93. Quantitative analyses
upon Hedera Helix and Ilex Aquifolium show about
the same proportion of difference between the
variegated and green leaves. We may infer, there-
fore (says the Rural New Yorker)^ that if we wish
to preserve or increase the variegation in plants,
they must be fed with a maximum of potash and a
minimum of lime.

— Che Eev. H. Harpur-Orewe has recently

flowered the beautiful Ibis Kolpakowskiaka,

which is one of the Xiphion group, and a

native of Turkestan. A couple of bulbs received
from Dr. Begel in the autumn were crushed nearly
flat in the post, but planted in prepared charcoal
— a wonderful restorative for injured or diseased
bulbs — one has recovered sufficiently to flower. It
is a very distinct and lovely species, and a meet com-
panion for its beautiful sisters Histrio and reticu-
lata. The bulb somewhat resembles that of reticu-
lata. The leaves are two or three in number, short,
obovate, lanceolate ; stem little or none ; limb pale
lilac, shaded with white ; falls obovate, tapering to
a sharp point, at the base pure white, tips bright
lilGkC, the keel bright yellow, feathered with purple
towards the base, the standards and claws pale
lilac minutely freckled with white, giving the
appearance of reticulation. It was flowered in a
pot in a cold frame.

— {The Richmond Hobticultubal Societt

is prospering under the presidency of the Duke

of Teck, who takes a lively personal interest in

its affairs. The schedule of prizes for the Show on
June 27 is now issued, and should bring together a
good exhibition. We are glad to see that the sooiety
is well supported by the nobih'ty and gentry of the
surrounding district, who cannot do a better work
than forwfurd the interests of a well-managed
horticultural society. The Society this year g^ves
the winners the option of receiving their awaits in
medals or money.

— QuiTB recently it has been found that
the LucuLiA GBATissiUA Can be managed like
the Hydrangea ; and that treated much in the
same way, it will g^ve a dwarf plant in a 5-in. or 6-in.
pot, crowned with a large head of rosy- tinted flowers,
possessing a fragrance not surpassed by those of
any other shrub. To Messrs. Osbom, as noted in the
Garden, is due the credit of showing how this grand
plant may be utilised. Young plants of this beau-
tiful greenhouse shrub were blooming finely about
Ohristmas in their nursery at Fulham. They were
struck from cuttings just before the flower-buds
showed themselves, and the result was the forma-
tion of neat plants, from 6 to 8 inches in height, in
6-in. pots, surmounted by a large head of deliciously
fragfrant blossoms. Grown in this way, the Luculia
will be one of the most popular of market plants at
the festive season, when fragrant flowering plants
are specially in request.

— 0HB New Zonal Pelabgonium White

Vesuviub is a white-flowered sport from the

well-known scarlet type, which it resembles in

habit and general good qualities, — in fact, it is a
veritable counterpart in white of the glowing
scarlet from which it originated. For flower-

garden decoration, or for culture in pots for winter
flowering, it nuty therefore be expected to prove
specially valuable.

— ti NEW double white Violet, Belle db

Ohatenay, has lately been introduced from

France, and will form a good companion to

' the Neapolitan. The plant is a profuse bloomer,
and comes into flower during winter with very
little forcing. Its flowers are about an inch across
and very double. They are of a delicate mauve in
the bud state, but become pure white as they
expand.

— fiKR, Williams is now sending out the

new high-coloured Pbimula sinensis fimqbiata

OOGOINEA. It is a brilliant variety, and was

certificated when shown recently at South Kensing-
ton. The leaves are palmatifid, the flower-trass
bold and flrm, and the flowers lai^ finely rounded,
with a full-frilled edg^ the colour being a bright
crimson-magenta, similar im tint to Brown's Exqui-
site, but a better shaped flower of greater substance.

— SThe Tdobeb OF the Syoamobe (Acer
Paeudo-Platanus) is very extensively employed
in Lancashire in the construction of the heavy
rollers used by calendrers and cloth-finishers, and
when of a size suitable for that purpose, 18 inches
or more of quarter-g^rth, it is in much demand, and
realises good prices. The Joumol of Forestry states
that the boles of four moderate-sised trees, contain-
ing in all 200 cubic feet of timber, averaging 20
inches in the quarter-g^h, were lately sold on the
Earl of Wilton's estate of Pilsworth, near Bury, at
2s. 6d. per foot, realising the handsome sum of £25
for the four trees, without taking into account the
limbs or large branches, which are used in the
manufacture of bobbins, &c., and realise a paying
price when sold for that purpose.

— fRit, John Eetnes died at Salisbury on
February 17, in his 73rd year. In early life
he was established in business as a brushmaker,
but from youth upwards was an amateur culti-
vator of florists' flowers, his first fancies being the
Pink, Carnation, and Picotee. Subsequently, he
became a professional fiorist, and at a later date
proprietor of Moody's Nursery, where he gradu-
ally developed a most prosperous nunery and seed
business. Mr. Keynes was one of the most renowned
and extensive cultivators of the Dahlia. Latterly
his three specialities have been Dahlias, Pot Vines,
and Boses, the latter being admirably g^wn and
shown by him. In 1872, Mr. Keynes was twice enter-
tained in public by his fioral friends, the occasion
being his having attained his 50th year as a florist.
He was Mayor of Salisbury in 1877. By his death
one of the last links of the chain connecting the
old florists with the present generation is broken.

— ^BOFESSOB Elias Fbies, the veteran
mycologist, has recently died at Upsala.

— fti^ Philippe Viotob Vebdieb died on
February 3, in his 75th year. He is known as
the raiser of Madame Furtado, Fran9ois
Lacharme, Olivier Delhomme, Vicomte Yigier,
and other of our better sorts of Boses.

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> EvufS'^-^

Epacns

Onosni^flora.fl pi. nivalis. 2. Butler. fly. 3. Denslflora 4 Sunset. 5. Devoniensis

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1878.}

NOTES ON MASDEVALLIAS.

PL. NIVALIS.

EPACRIS ONOSM^FLORA FL.

[Plate 464.]
first double-flowered and upwards in plants by no means freely culti-

lOUGH not the

Epacris which has been noted, since an
Epacris impressa flore-pleno has been
already recorded, this and a near ally are, we
believe, the first which have been seen in culti-
vation. They are New Holland plants, and
have been imported by Mr. W. Bull, of Chelsea,
to whom we are indebted for the specimen of
E, onosnuBflora fl, pi, nivalis here depicted
(Fig. 1), and which is much more beautiful
when seen on the plant than it is possible for
its representation to appear on paper, though
a very fair idea of the charming character of
its abundant rosette-like flowers may be gained
from Mr. Fitch's excellent drawing. Indeed
there are few finer hard- wooded plants than
this Epacris will prove when well-grown speci-
mens come to be produced. The following are
the descriptive notes taken when the plant was
in bloom in March, 1 877 : —

A free-growing greenhouse evergreen shrub,
producing long leafy shoots, which, when the
blossoms are developed in the leaf axils form
crowded spikes of flowers, the leaves being
almost hidden by the profusion of blossom.
The leaves are ovate acuminate, thickly placed
on the stems, spreading in all directions. The
flowers are of the purest white, and have a
tubular base and a flve-lobed spreading limb,
the interior organs being changed into white
petals, which spread out to the full extent
of the corolla-lobes, and form with them a
flower which on the face or front view is ex-
actly rosette-shaped. The spikes are a foot long

tivated, so that with vigorous growth they would
no doubt considerably exceed this length. It
produces broader and fuller spikes than the
plant next to be noted. Altogether, it is a very
beautiful acquisition amongst hard -wooded
greenhouse plants, a class to which of late,
during the era of palms and flne-foliage plants,
much too little attention has been paid.

Another double-flowered variety of the same
species, Epacris onosmcejlora fl, pi, alha^ was
imported at the same time, and was awarded
a First-class Certificate by the Royal Horticul-
tural Society in 1876. It resembles nivalis in
growth, and is quite distinct, in its rather
smaller, but fully double blush-white flowers,
the interior petals more distinctly apparent
within the corolla-tube, the lobes of which
have more the appearance of a series of guard-
petals. A third variety, with semidouble flowers,
has also been imported.

The other varieties figured in our plate are
introduced for contrast, and comprise some of
the most pleasing of the modem varieties ; they
are of cross-bred or hybrid origin, but with the
character of E, impressa preponderating. The
varieties named Butterfly (Fig. 2) and Densi-
flora (Fig. 3) are remarkable for their rosy-pink
tube and white limb, whilst Sunset (Fig. 4)
and Devoniensis (Fig. 5) have the flower-tubes
longer and the tints of crimson rich and at-
tractive, amongst the brightest to be found
in this valuable genus of winter and spring-
flowering greenhouse plants. — T. Moobe.

NOTES ON MASDEVALLIAS.

\ASDEVALLIAS are now becoming
very numerous in our collections of
cool orchids, and they are not only
nimierouB but extremely varied in character,
and in some instances exceptionally beautiful.
They have all a neat habit of growth, which
commends them to the notice of the cultivator.
In their flowers some are gorgeous in the ex-
treme, the tints of colour which occur in
M. Veitchii (scarlet, shot with purple), M,
Rarryana (magenta-crimson), and M. Lindeni
(violet-rose) being probably unapproachable in

No. 4. DfPIBtAL 8IBIES.— I.

richness and brilliancy in the whole range of
the vegetable world. It is the group repre-
sented by these, and of which M. Davisii^ a
yellow-flowered species, represented in the wood-
cut on p. 52, is another example, which has
won for the genus the popularity which invests
it. Other species are exquisite floral gems,
but being of smaller size and less brilliant
colours they are not effective in a general way,
and require closer examination in order to
realise their special type of beauty. M, iono*
charts^ represented in the subjoined out (p. 51),

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THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[APRIL,

which has white, purple-blotched flowers, is an
example of this set, and makes rather a pretty
tuft into the bargain. There is also a set of
Masdevallias having flowers of a curious weird
aspect, such as M, Chxnuxra^ which has creamy-
yellow flowers, with dark spotting and a shaggy
surface, and bears a slipper in place of the lip,
and the odd-looking brownish M» Nyctei'ina^

and abroad — ^has obligingly furnished us with
the following notes on this subject : —

The MaadevalUas should be potted in a
mixture of rough fibrous peat and chopped
sphagnum moss, which should be pressed
moderately firm about the roots; whilst to
keep the roots moist, and to present a pleasing
surface to the eye, the soil in the pots

Hasditalua Ohiilbbi.

compared to the night-bird. Of the former of
these the annexed figure, derived from the
Oardenert^ Chronicle^ gives a good idea, though
shown on a considerably reduced scale, as, in-
deed, are the other species represented.

Most of the Masdevallias^ but not quite all,
belong to what are known in gardens as '^cooP
orchids. All the more beautiful forms belong
to this set. Mr. Williams, who is one of the
best cultivators of Orchids generally — as wit-
ness his success at exhibitions, both at home

should be covered with living sphagnum. They
will not bear a strong heat, and they must on
no account be allowed to suffer from drought.
They do not require a season of rest, like many
others of this family, but continue growing on
throughout the year, if a genial moist atmo-
sphere is provided for them. This moisture
must be produced by condensation, and not by
deluging them with water from the Byimge,
The drainage must be kept in perfect order, for
the plants cannot endure either soured soil or

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1S78. ]

GOLD FISH FOR ACQUATIC PLANT HOUSES.

stagnant moisture to remain about their roots.
They require an average temperature of 60° to
70° in summer, and of 45° to 60° during
winter.

The plants are subject to attacks of the
yellow and green aphides, which should be
washed off carefully with tepid water. On no

account should they be fumigated, since the
fumes of tobacco have been found to have a
deleterious effect upon them, as also upon most
other " cool-house ** orchids. They are in-
creased by divisions of the tufts, which are
naturally formed, but a young growth should
form part of each division. — T. M.

Masdbvallta ionochaus.

GOLD FISH FOR AQUATIC PLANT HOUSES.

WBITEE in the Field has noted
" that an aquatic house can hardly
be said to be complete without gold-
fish, which are exceedingly easy to rear and
keep. What they need most is heat, for
though they will live for a long while in a
cold tank, they will not breed, but when
plaoed in water at a temperature of 85° or 90®,
their fertility is prodigious. In a house de-
TOted to aquatics, at one time imder my
chaise, I had a very good opportunity of notic-
ing their capabilities in this respect, and the
effects of cold water in retarding their develop-
ment. The tank was emptied during the winter
months, and was filled again in April, and

planted with aquatic plants. The fish were
put into the tank at the same time, and were
not removed till October or November, by which
time the tank used to swarm with young fry,
mostly of a dusky black colour — for they seemed
to change to the golden colour at various ages.
When the tank was emptied in November they
were removed to a cold tank beneath the stage
of one of the other plant houses, and some fish
were always left here during the summer, but
they never bred, and those that were put in black
seldom or never changed to the golden colour.
We kept a good-sized fish by itself in a slate tank
in a cool cineraria-house, for eighteen months
or two years, and it kept its dark colour all the

E 2

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[APBIL,

time. Some were put into a tank above one
of the boilers in the pine stoye, where the water
was never under . 90°, and oftener as high as
110° and 120^ — a temperature which did not
seem to discommode them much ; but they be-
came sluggish in their habits, and when the
pipes were hot, and the water consequently
very warm also, they came to the surface and
remained there, often putting their mouths out
of the water as if to breathe, though I suppose
that would not be their object. The tank in
which they bred so freely was only 9 in.

deep, and had a bed of soil in the centre,
from which th3 mud distributed itself all
over the bottom, and in this the fish, no doubt,
found an eligible spawning-ground. They
were left to take care of themselves as regards
feeding, and the water was kept fresh by
allowing a tap to trickle slowly into the tank
during the day. When the fish became numer-
ous, it was a very pretty and interesting sight
to see them glinting about among the leaves
of the aquatics. — C."

M ASDBVALLIA Di.Tisn (see p. 49).

CINERARIAS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE.

^EBHAPS one of the most remarkable
strides made of late years among florist
flowers is to be seen in the ' single ' varie-
ties of the Cineraria^ Mr. James's shown at
South Kensington and the Begent's Park were
as near perfection as it seems possible to arrive at.

Many of your readers will remember the
original rude, starry-shaped flowers, remark-
able only for their large daisy-like disk or eye
surrounded by a few thin narrow ray florets.
These are happily things of the past. The
Cineraria of the present day is of dwarf corn-

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1878. ]

THE PHILOSOPHY OP FLORISTS PLOWBBS — I.

pact liabit ; the trusses of blossoms are large^
dose, and even on the surface ; and the indi-
vidual heads of flowers stand together so that
the edges of the florets just touch each other ;
whUst each separate flower (more strictly each
flower-head) is of great size, and forms a com-
plete circle, the florets (often called petals),
being broad and stiff, and of the most beautiful
and yaried colours.

The * double ' Cineraria^ from which so much
was expected, has so far disappointed most

growers. The seed that has been sold as that
of the ' double ' has generally produced utterly
worthless varieties. From a 78. 6d. packet
purchased last season I had not one double
flower. Some few good double flowers have,
however, been seen, so that we may hope ero
long to meet with some advance in this class of
varieties, for they would be most valuable
plants for decorative purposes. — Edwabd
Bbnnstt, Rahley Nursery^ Shtnley, [Messrs.
Dickson and Co. have some good doubles.]

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE
PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS' FLOWERS.— L

fi^N one of the earlier volumes of the first
J\ ro series of the Flobist (1849) was pub-
^^^ lished a most valuable series of papers
on the " Philosophy of Florists' Flowers," by
the Bev. G. Jeans, writing under the nam de
plume of ^^ Iota.** No such clear definition of
the principles which should guide the true
florist in his attempts to mould any particular
flower to his requirements, has been penned
either before or since. As the eariy numbers
which contain this series of papers are out of
print, we have been requested to republish
them, for the benefit of the florists and lovers
of flowers of a new generation. This we have
consented to do, in the hope of clearing away
some of the misconceptions which exist as to
the aim and objects of those who engage in
the cultivation and improvement of what are
called " florists' flowers " — a gradually widening
cirde, extended by the acquisition from time to
time of some now popular favourite, but to
which the same principles, mutatis mutandis^ will
always apply. The papers consist of a series of
letters addressed to the Superintendent of the
Flobist, and we commence with that published
in May, 1849. To quote the words with which
they were then introduced to the public, we
may also hope that '^ many will be furnished in
these essays with replies to such objections
as Addison raised in his day — that he looked
upon it as a piece of happiness that he had
never fallen into any of these fantastical tastes
—objections which are largely partaken of by
others in our own times^ who eating with the
greatest satisfaction fruits improved in size and
flavour by the skill of the fruitist, would try
to cast ridicule upon florists, for attempting to
develope those beautiful forms and colours in
flowers which administer to as reflned a taste
as that of the palate." Mr. Jeans writes :—

"When you said, in your number for
November, that you had had a smile excited
by seeing the worst Pelargoniums in your
collection the most admired, you only spoke
the experience of all who have a collection of
any florists' flowers ; to whom it is a common
mortification, when exhibiting the objects of
their care to casual observers, to have the
most perfect kinds passed by without notice,
even when attention is called to them, while
the defective are singled out for approbation.
This well-known fact is often appealed to as a
proof of the intrinsic unsoundness of the
florist's standards of preference, and of the
uselessness of his labours ; in fact, that all is
mere whim and caprice.

" There is also another difference between
the cultivator and the public, somewhat more
specious as a matter of reproach against us,
and often triumphantly adduced as decisive
of the advantage possessed by the uninitiated
over the initiate, — that a simple admirer of
nature will look with pleasure upon a Primrose
or a Pansy, from which the connoisseur would
turn with disgust. It is thence argued that our
science is toorse than useless.

" Nor is this treatment of our pursuit cpn-
flned to those who, being ignorant themselves,
would fain plead for ' ignorance as bliss.' The
really scientific and kindred botanist (he must
excuse us for claiming the relationship of a
younger brother) misappreciates our labours,
and holds them in greater abhorrence than the
most resolute upholder of the ' natural system '
of vandyked Pinks and Carnations. He calls
our double flowers monsters^ and our varieties
hybrids. Perhaps it may be new to some of
your readers that the meaning of that latter
word is, ^ offspring of violence done to nature.'
And as we, in the simplicity of our ignorance,
or the consciousness of our rectitude, have
adopted his term of reproach as a convenient
one to express a factitious variety obtained by
crossing we seed, it will remain as a standing
testimony of tixe opinion botanists had of the

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THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0QI8T.

[APBIIh

practice. And it is a fact that, as a class,
they still despise the whole system of fancy
flowers, and ey^n carry their prejadioes so far
as to dislike the beauties that have been
obtained by art.

^^ Here, then, are three formidable classes of
opponents, to one or other of which I think all
the objections I have heard raised to the art of
the florist may be referred. And as my object
in these papers is to show that they are all and
severally untenable, it appears better to meet
them and join issue at once ; after which I will
endeavour to demonstrate and apply those fixed
laws of nature, through which have been deve-
loped whatever advances have yet been or will
hereafter be made in the improvement of cer-
tain flowering plants.

''I. The first objection is, that what are
counted excellences in the eyes of amateurs are
mere matters of taste and caprice; that the
standards by which they are judged are purely
arbitrary and conventional ; and that no suffi-
cient reason can be given why any other
standards might not as well be adopted as those
in use, because taste is most variable and in-
consistent.

'^ Persons who thus reason should be reminded
that the general amoimt of consent among those
who have engaged in the pursuit and paid at-
tention to it, — and those not of one time or one
place, or among those only who were infiuenced
by each other's opinions, but of all times and
of various countries, and often bearing no respect
towards one another, — should suggest a doubt
whether facts are not against them. The truth
is, it is a curious matter of inquiry, and one
of those which led the writer to think upon
the subject, how much the facts of the case
are against them, and tend the other way;
how constant it is that frequent and atten-
tive examination of many varieties of the
same species of flower almost in every instance
leads the cultivator to value certain peculia-
rities, whether pointed out to him or not,
which constitute the properties of that species
of flower.

"Not that each would prefer the same
variety; that would imply that there is no
place for taste at all, for which I shall show
that there is a wide, but not an unlimited,
field. But that in all the varieties that each
most esteems, there will be found certain
characteristic points of excellence. This sug-
gests what will be proved to be a fact, that for
such agreement there is a reason founded in
nature ; a reason we will afterwards investigate.
In the meantime, the mere intimation it gives
that these preferences are not arbitrary, is a
sufficient answer to the objection as it is usually
made.

" The same appearance of mere arbitrary
standards of excellence is found in many, per-

haps in most, other objects of pursuit. An
ordinary person going among the stock of a
farmer who breeds high, would in all probability
make the same mistime that you complained of
in one ignorant of Pelargoniums, and excite a
smile of pity or contempt through his mi-
acquaintance with the technical value of level
backs, flat loins, wide forelegs, and straight
sides, or by showing so much want of discern-
ment as actually to praise a good-looking
animal with a black nose, a fault as inexcus-
able in a cow, and as surely indicative of de-
fective breeding, as the same appearance would
be at the bottom of the cup of a Tulip.

'' Now these marks are not arbitrary ; no one
supposes them to be so in cattle; credit is
given to the fanner that he has a reason
founded in nature for the points of his beast,
though that reason does not lie on the surface,
to be discerned by every passing beholder.
They are admitted to be what they really are,
— an index of its qualifications to fulfil its
destined functions.

" The same thing occurs in judging between
the relative values of different spedmena of
the same kind, in all articles, whetiier natural
productions or works of art. There are always
some technical marks to judge by, which serve
to indicate, in short compass, the intiinsio
qualities of the article. And these marks will
seem arbitrary to those who do not understand
them, because their connexion with the quali-
ties is not seen. The merchant judges of
samples by marks that are meaningless to
others, but which lead him to a correct result,
because they have a real natural connexion
with the qualities he seeks. And the florist
has an equal reason for the properties of his
flower. A novice will sometimes bring a seed-
ling Polyanthus to an older cultivator, expecting
the same admiration it has excited in himself.
In size, and shape, and colour, and edging, it is
perfect ; and he is surprised and mortified at
the coldness of its reception. And when told
why it must be rejected, he considers the
floristic canon as arbitrary and unreasonable
which condemns an otherwise excellent flower
for the trifling defect, if defect it is to be called
at all, that the stigma is visible. Yet con-
demned it would be, and universally, by judges ;
and they are right, as will be shown in its place.
A pin-eyed Polyanthus or Auricula has no busi-
ness in a collection, though not out of place in
a border.

" There is no caprice in this. And the real
agreement that has obtained all along from the
flrst among florists in their estimate of fancy
flowers is greater than is at first discoverable ;
because they did not set out from a known
system acknowledged by all, or by any, and
therefore their differences of taste were greatest
at first, and diminish continually afterwards.

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1878. )

BEMINISOENOES OF P0LYAKTHUSB8.

No such system was then thought of or sup-
posed to exist, but each endeayoured to im-
prove his chosen flower in his own way. But
now, after their labours have in a course of years
slowly collected various and tangible results, we
can see that those results have been reached by
successive steps, all in the same direction. The
Talip — which has perhaps been cultivated
longest as a fancy flower, and which, as the
gaudiest of them, is peculiarly likely to dazzle
even the experienced into mistakes of its true
properties — ^has undergone several apparent
revolutions of opinion about its standard points.
We have now, however, no difficulty in follow-
ing the successive advances it has made, and
discovering that there was no capriciousness,
nor any other general alteration of taiM^e than
what arose from a general onward progress.

"It may be true that some old varieties
exist in most fancy flowers which have seldom
been surpassed since ; but at the time of their
first appearance they were not, as they are ex-
pected to be now, the types of the whole bed.
And when it is thence inferred that many have
been discarded to make room for others no
better, or perhaps worse, than themselves, it is
not indeed denied that such mistakes may have
happened, but from some researches made on
the subject, I am inclined to believe they have
been comparatively rare. And there is one
reason for novelty not generally known except
to experienced florists (though popularly
acknowledged in fruits), that highly-cultivated

varieties soon wear themselves out and de-
generate. Pinks rarely retain their character
tiirough more than from ten to flfteen genera-
tions of cuttings ; and therefore new ones must
be continually superseding the old, even though
little, if anything, superior to those they
displace.

" And as for a person unaccustomed to any
species of flower making a wrong selection for
lus approval, it happens in everything else as
well as in flowers, and therefore loses its force.
Lace, for instance, is made for the same pur-
pose that the flower was created, — to please
the eye ; and an unpractised eye would be as
apt to pass by the rare and costly, and to
select the valueless in lace, as in a Pelargo-
nium. The fact is ever found to be that the
most showy qualities are not the most useful,
nor is that which will most permanently please
that which first catches the unaccustomed eye.
But that which is sterling, which will attract
without fatiguing the sight, and gratify with-
out offending ihe judgment, will often be
passed over at first without notice. And there-
fore it is no more a reproach to the study which
investigates these facts, or to the art which is
founded upon them, that the eye of a novice
should make a choice which the same eye,
when tutored by experience, would reject, than
it is an argument against a more cultivated
taste in diet, that a child prefers green fruit to
ripe, and leaves wholesome food for ginger-
bread. — Iota."

REMINISCENCES OF POLYANTHUSES.

vOW for a few lines on one of my earlier
fancy flowers, the Polyanthus, which, I
am sorry to say, has for years been
much neglected until just lately, when some-
what of a revival of the fancy has sprung up,
and this lovely flower seems likely to be brought
to the fore again. It is a slight drawback
that at the present time we have scarcely
one of the older school of floiists left amongst
us, either to grow them, or to give their ex-
perience for the benefit of those who are to
follow in their wake. However, I do not see
why new growers should be thereby dis-
ouraged. Earnest men who have the fancy at
heart will not falter at the sight of slight
difficulties.

Some years since I grew a tidy collection of
Polyanthuses, but latterly I have been out
of them altogether, yet for all that, I think it
is possible I may be of some service, by giving
a little advice to the young and inexperienced.
Those who have lately begun to cultivate

the Auricula must not be led away by the
notion that the Auricula and the Polyanthus
are of one and the same species, requiring
similar treatment. They are certainly of two
different natures, and require different kinds of
soil and a different situation, in fact, altogether
different treatment. The Auricula thrives best
in a high, mountainous place, where pure air
blows freely from all quarters, and at those
times when it blows from the most favourable
quarters — ^west, south-west, and north-west —
they can scarcely have too much of it during
three parts of the year. Not so with the
Polyanthus. That grows, thrives, and blooms
best in a low, somewhat shady, and not over-
dry situation, where the ground is not pestered
with red-spider, which is the worst and most
destructive enemy the Polyanthus has, and
which must be guarded against ; for of a cer-
tainty where red-spider abounds, the Polyanthus
cannot exist for any length of time. As to
any remedy for destroying such pests, I have

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THE PLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[Apsil,

never had the good fortune to find one, though
I have tried many which were stoutly affirmed
to be certain cures. Bather than grapple with
this pest, I would advise my younger friends
to do the best they can to select a situation
free from red-spider.

The kind of soil I found to be the most
suitable for the healthy growth and blooming
of the Poljranthus was good sound yellow loam
from an old pasture. When I could not obtain
it from such a source in the early spring, I
used to get from a neighbouring farmer a
couple or three cart-loads from the headland of
one of his corn-growing fields. This I had
sifted through a -^in. or |-in. sieve. I then got
a few barrow-loads of clean solid cow-dung
from the cowshed, which was put into a large
tub with water, and well stirred up, so as to bring
it to the consistence of paste. A layer, 10 in.
thick or so of the sifted mould was laid down,
and on it a quantity of the liquid was poured ;
then another layer of mould, then liquid again,
and so on till the lot was placed in a solid heap,
in which state it was allowed to lie for three
months or so, when it was chopped down, and
thrown up mto a fresh heap for another month
or six weeks. By that time it was ready for
use, either for potting Polyanthuses or for the
growth of Carnations and Picotees — none better.
I can also assure Tulip-growers that this same
preparation of soil will grow and bloom a bed
of Tulips in first-rate character, where the air
is pure, and situation anything near the mark.

In the earlier part of my Polyanthus-grow-
ing I had the plants stored through the winter
and early part of spring months in a rather
shallow wooden frame. Later on I had a frame
built of bricks, which I found to answer better.
I did not have it built so much above the level
of the ground as the Auricula frames ; it was
raised three bricks in front and six at the
back, and previous to placing the pots
in it, I had the mould taken out to the
depth of about two feet below the level of
the ground ; then, if practicable, I placed a
quantity of Hme-scraps in the bottom, filling up
with coal-ashes to about a couple of inches
below the level outside — ^not higher, as the Poly-
anthus likes best a bottom where there is a little
moisture, only the plants will require watching to
keep them clear of slugs, earwigs, beetles, &c.
In order to keep the plants dear from such
pests, I used to lay traps to catch them. My
trap was simple enough — an old broom-head with
the bristles extracted ; this I found to be just the
thing for the purpose, for at break of day
these pests will hide themselves in the holes in

the broom-head, if that be placed in any part
of the bottom of the frame ; and when taking off
the lights for airing, the trap must be quietly and
carefully lifted, so that in case any vermin are
found in the holes, they may not slip back into
the frame. Slugs will not readily leave their
hiding-places, but beetles, earwigs, and the
forty Pegged ' twinge ' will slip out, imless care
be used.

I give the names of a few sorts of Polyanthus,
which I looked upon as being the best at the
time I was growing them. There may now be
other good sorts of more recent date, which I
have not had the opportunity of seeing ; the few
I mention here I can vouch for as being well up
to the mark, and fit to take a respectable place
on the exhibition-table. I shall name them in
the order of merit, and venture to say that, so
far as I have seen. Beauty stands A 1 : —

Beauty of England (Sammerscales).

Alexander (Pearson), the mother of the above.

Bang Europe (Nicholson).

Invincible (Cronshaw).

Exile (Cronshaw).

Cheshire Favourite (Sanders).

Princess Eoyal (Colfier).

Elizabeth (Hepworth).

Lord J. Bussell (Clegg).

George IV. (Buck).

Emperor (Turner).

Prince Regent (Coxe).

I have grown a goodly number of other sorts,
but I believe the twelve above named are the
best of the lot. — John Hepworth, Crosland
Moor^ Iluddersfield.

BERGAMOTTE ESPEREN PEAR.

)HIS is a medium - sized grey Pear,
freckled over with dark spots from the
shank to the crown, slightly tinged with
pink on the sunny side, and shaped like a Winter
Orassane. I have grown this Bergamotte for
several years, and seldom found it fail in fruit-
fulness nor time of ripening in winter or spring.
The last quality is often deficient in some late
kinds of Pears, though highly spoken of. I
mention this in particular, for it is grievous to
grow Pears unavailable for dessert, especially at
the time they are expected to ripen. There-
fore I consider Bergamotte Esperen one of our
best late kinds which seems to deserve better
attention. It has the bergamot flavour, and
frequently is more juicy than some Autumn
Bergamots, and not mealy, like some other late
Pears, for instance, the Winter Orassane. The
Soldat Esperen, though it is a great bearer,
seldom ripens or becomes juicy, even though
grown in favourable seasons, yet this Pear is
noticed in some catalogues as " a rich, sugaiy,
melting kind." Need I say that all such state-
ments in catalogues not only tend to mislead
nurserymen, but are often the cause of disesteem
of the gardener on the part of an employer ?—
J. WiQHTON, Cossey Park,

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Cherry Bijarreau Napoleon.

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1878.]

KOTES ON FLANTINa FLOWEB GABDENS, ETC.

BIGARREAU NAPOLEON CHERRY.

[Plate
\0 doubt, tliis is one of the best of the
Bigarreau race of Cherries. It is re-
markable not only for its excellence of
quality, but also for its large size and the
beauty of its appearance. It bears the syno-
nyms of Bigarreau Lauermann, and Lauer-
mann's Eirsche. The tree is hardy and
rigorous, a prolific bearer, and suitable both for
planting against a wall and as a standard, or
to be grown under glass. Its fruit is large,
heart-shaped, yellow, dotted with red ; the ex-
posed side chan^ng to a deep rich crimson ;
the flesh firm, and full of sweet rich perfumed
juice. It naturally ripens about the end of
July or the beginning of August.

Our plate was drawn from specimens grown
by Mr. G. T. Miles, the very successful gardener
to Lord Oarington, at Wycombe Abbey. We
have to thank Mr. Miles for the accompanying
remarks in reference thereto : —

"This extraordinarily fine variety is un-
questionably the most magnificent cherry in
cultivation. lake most oilers of the light-
coloured section, its chief defect arises from its
susceptibility to crack immediately it becomes
ripe, unless the fruit is protected against the
effect of rain and damp. To do ihia is cer-

465.]

tainly a slight digression from the ordinary
routine in such matters, and will involve a
trifle more labour and attention ; but surely,
to obtain a dish of such grand fruit in
perfection as this particular variety supplies on
either the dessert or exhibition table is worth
an effort, and its presence there more than
compensates for the time bestowed on securing
this end. We give particular attention to this
matter, and before the Cherries are fully ripe,
we protect them by means of a sheet of tar-
pauling, from three to five feet wide, according
to the height of the wall. This is fastened
on the top of the wall over the tree, and
kept up or down according to the require-
ments of the weather ; and this meets the
exigencies of the case. From special observa-
tions made in regard to this subject, we have
come to the conclusion that an eastern aspect
is the best for Cherries, of course excepting for
having them late, and that it is most injurious
to the trees to deeply cultivate the borders, in
which the roots abound.

" The value of having Cherry trees on late
walls, as a means of prolonging the season of
this delicious fruit, is now more generally
acknowledged, and as it becomes more known
it will be more universally adopted. For this
purpose, no variety will be found more suitable
than the May Duke. — Geo. Thos. Miles,
Wi/coinbe Abbey. ^

NOTES ON PLANTING

QTp HAVE often thought that if gardeners
4[% would run their eye over the Flower
Q!J0 Gardens under their charge, and record
what plants had done well and been effective,
it would be a help to many others in making
arrangements for filling their beds and borders
in the coming year.

We have here two Flower Gardens, or rather
one is a parterre of flowers, and the other of
foliage. Both are useful and pretty in their
way. The flowers look best during July and
August, but the foliage beats them hollow
during September and October. Amongst the
Flowers, commencing with Pelargoniums^ I still
like Vesuvius best in the way of scarlets;
Wellington is grand, but hardly free enough ;
Waltham Seedling is excellent, beating Stella,
and Pioneer is truly lovely. Of the pinks, I
like Pink Queen^ Master Christine^ and Amar"
anth. Lucius is the finest bed in the garden ;
its pretty rosy tint may be said to be half-way

FLOWER GARDENS, Etc.

between a pink and scarlet. White Clipper
beats Madame Vaucher. Of the AgeratumSj
Countess of Stair is fine, and so is Lady Jane,
Among Calceolarias^ Gaines's Bouquet is best
here. Calceolarias frequently go off because they
are ill-used in winter. I strike my cuttings in
charcoal-dust, and keep them in a cold pit till
April, when they are pricked out at the bottom
of a wall for a month or six weeks, and they
never take the palsy or falling sickness either.
I still grow Verbena Purple King^ for it is a
lovely colour ; it wants the soil to be rich, and
abominates pegs. A really good blue bedder
is to be found in Viola Perfection, Strange to
say, Violas do better in the north than here.
I saw Viola lutea a foot high and quite a mass
of blossom at Balmoral, but although I brought
cuttings from this very bed, it does not do so
well with me; the moisture and cool atmo-
sphere of the Highlands suit it best. Helio*
tropes are still bedded here for their scent. Of

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST,

[AraiL,

Lobelias I mean to grow three kinds this year
— L, Paxtoni^ pumila^ and Emperor WilUam;
the latter is a splendid kind, which many afi&rm
to be the same as L, pumila nuignifica^ and I
really now think it is so ; bat be this as it may,
it is, in my judgment, the best Lobelia we ha^e.

The Foliage Garden must not be planted till
the middle of June. Here amongst the Pelar'
goniums we grow Marechal MacMdhon^ Mrs,
Pollock^ Robert Bumsy Black Douglas^ Cryatcd
Palace Gem^ and Bijou. I have arranged them
in the order of their merit. Our Flower Qarden
is 400 feet above the sea, and very much ex«
posed, so that the only two AUemantheraa
which grow well here, are A, magnifica and
A, amabiliSy and yery pretty hardy kinds they
are. The Golden Feather Pyrethrum is invalu-
able ; it should not be sown too soon, or it will
run to seed. Veronica incana is a silvery grey-
leaved plant, and is very pretty and quite hardy.
Oxalia comunUata rubra (tropaeoloides) is very
useful, with its coppery foliage, and is easily pro-
pagated. The best Iresine is /. Lindeni^ but
Coleus Verschaffeltii Improved is the better of
the two, and they are nearly of the same
colour. Amaranthus melcmchoUcus ruber is in
this way, and is a nice plant, if not raised in
too much heat. Echeverias are all very good ;
the best is E, Peacockii, We grow Sedum
Lydium and S, glaucum, and very useful they
are. Mentha Pulegiumgibraltaricum is a delight-
ful green, easily propagated, and nearly hardy.
Mesemhryanthemum cordtfoUum variegatum and
Veronica variegata both do well, and so does
Cerastium Biebersteini, which is much better
than C, tomentosum. Cenlaurea candidisaima
is most useful.

I have many other plants in hand, such as
Euonymuses of sorts, Arabia, Thymus of various
kinds, &c,y of the merits of which I will report
to you next autumn, if all s well. We have
one fine ribbon border which takes 6,000 plants,
and which is planted in the following order,
reading from the front backwards : —

1. Pyrethnun Gblden Feather, yellow foliage.

2. Pelargoniam Little David, scarlet flowers.
S. Pelargoniam Bijoa, white foliage.

4. Pelargoniain Christine, pink flowers.

5. Pelargoniam Stella, crimson-Bcarlet flowers.

6. Verbena veno8a> porple flowers.

The border is shaded by a row of Tulip-trees,
BO that I am obliged to make use of these
strong-growing things. — ^Joseph Bust, Eridge
Castle Gardens^ Tunbridge Wells,

NEW DWARF INDIAN AZALEAS.

^OME two or three years since, Mr. Gar-
michael exhibited at one of the Boyal
Botanic Society's shows some seedling
Azaleas of close dwarf habit, with very neat
small foliage, and comparatively small flowers,
one or two of which, in better condition than
the rest — Gem and Mrs. Garmichael — were
awarded First-dass Certificates, as being likely
to form useful decorative plants of small stature.
They are understood to have been obtained by
crossing A. Stella with A amodna. We were
much gratified the other day to see these novel-
ties, under the influence of good cultivation,
presenting a very charming appearance, and we
feel convinced that they will prove exceedingly
valuable as decorative plants for growing in
small pots, and equally so for providing mate-
rials for bouquets, the flowers from their size
being better adapted for making up than those
of the large-flowered group.

The varieties, six in number, are in the hands
of Mr. B. S. Williams, of Upper Holloway. The
flowers are about 1^ inch across, or in some
varieties rather less, and the leaves are of the
small oblanceolate type seen in the small-
flowered native Ohinese Azalea obtusa. The
varieties we noticed were as follows, all having
the same neat character and dose dwarf
habit : —

Princess Beatrice : flowers rather small, pale rosy-
porple.

Mrs, Carmichael : flowers rosy-porple, rather more
rosy-tinted than Princess Beatrice.

Princess Maude : clear parplish-rose, the corolla
segments oblong blant emarginate, mediam size.

William Carmichael: clear porplish rose, the
flowers rather larger than in Prinoess Maade.

Lady Musgrave : flowers rosy-carmine, 1} inch
across, the segments broad and slightly overiapping.

Prime Minister : flowers small, of a deep pink or
peach-blossom.

Of these Mrs. Carmichael, William Car-
michael, and Lady Musgrave have somewhat
larger flowers, varying in colour ; while those
of Princess Beatrice, Princess Maude, and Prime
Minister are smaller and more nearly resembling
those of obtusa in form. The colours of all are
very bright and cheerful, and for the purposes
indicated we look on them as being very decided
acquisitions.

Fit associates for the above would be found
in the little Chinese Azalea obtusa, introduced
by Mr. Fortune many years ago, and the double-
blossomed Azalea Bollissoni, figured at p. 35,
and recently acquired from Japan by Messrs.
Bollisson and Sons. — ^T. Moobe.

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MIGBOLEPIA HIBTA CBISTATA. — TBANSPLANTINO TBEES.

MICROLEPIA HIRTA CRISTATA.

pE have here a fine acquisition amongst
our tender exotio ferns, and one which
will prove of great value as a decor-
ative plant. The fronds grow to a large size,
three to four feet in length, and are not only

segments. The pinnules are linear-oblong,
obtuse, about an inch long, divided into several
obovate decurrent segments, and the apex of
the frond is multifid-cristate. The texture of
the frond is herbaceous, and the surface both
of the fronds, stipules, and rachides densely
hairy. This will prove a very useful ornamental
evergreen Fern, on account of its graceful habit,
the fronds being of a spreading or arching style
of growth. The drooping tassels hanging from
the apex of the frond itself, and from the ends
of all the pinnae, give it a very pleasing char-
acter, so that it is well adapted both for
pot-culture and also for suspending overhead
in baskets. It has been recently imported
from the South Sea Islands by Mr. B. S.
Williams, and is one of those Ferns which can
be grown rapidly into an effective size and con-
dition. We have also seen the same variety from
other sources. Our figure is taken- from the
Gardeners* Chronicle, — ^T. Moobb.

IflOBOLEPIA RIBTA OIUSTJLTJL.

evergreen, but abundantly produced, the habit
being free and vigorous. They are broadly
ovate, tripinnate, and gracefully pendent, made
up of numerous pinnse, which are lanceolate-
oblong, broad at the base, and somewhat nar-
rowed upwards, the apex, which is multifidly-
forked, forming a tassel of finely divided

TRANSPLANTING LARGE

VALUABLE TREES AND SHRUBS.

such plants should be prepared for
removal, but forethought frequently
is deprived of exercising the desirable
preparation, because the alterations and im-
provements determined upon are so quickly put
in practice after the conception of the arrange-
ment, that there is no rest till it is all finished.
Therefore, any plan that gives something like
certainty of success in the inmiediate trans-
planting of large trees and plants is of con-
siderable importance.

The system generally adopted is — the season
before transplanting to dig all round at an
equal distance from the crown or collar,
smoothly cutting all the roots, which causes
innumerable rootlets to spring into the dug-up
soil ; these rootlets, taken up with the ball of
earth, ensure success. Trees moved without
this preparation frequently are for years sickly
specimens, owing to the want of a sufficient
number of fine rootlets to gather the necessary
nourishment to support so large a plant.

This reasoning, induced by a heavy job,
called forth the idea of digging the ball of
earth in shape of a parallelogram instead of
round. This novel plan gives on two sides a
set of long roots, with numerous rootlets un«

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[Apul,

disturbed, that will support the plant in health,
while the closely cut roots on the other two
sides strike forth fresh vigorous young roots
into the new ground.

My rule was — in moving a lai-ge number of
Portugal laurels, evergreen oaks, a few hollies
and Deodars — ^to take the length across the
tree from the outside of the branches on the
lightest side of the tree-top to the outside of
the branches on the opposite side, the width
being from five to six diameters of the trunk
nine inches or a foot above the ground. This
shape gives the advantage of grasping the
whole mass of earth and roots within a home-
made rough pair of timber pincers, the jaws of
which are each a half box, not shorter than
the block of earth nor more than half its width ;
these two binding all together tightly, prevent
the shaking of the roots and earth asunder
in transit. These trees were from twelve to
twenty years old, and were all moved in Febru-
ary — ^a few in hard frost. Some leaf-mould
was mixed with the earth that was put around
them ; they were all placed a little higher than
the land, and after all was firmly trodden
round and raked over, well mulched with half-
rotten dung. Not a tree suffered more check
than it would have done from preparation for
future transplanting, and the second season all
were in robust growth, and many full of flower
and fruit.

I should have stated that in placing the
trees, the heaviest side of the top should be put
facing the stormy aspect, which causes the tree
to grow more sjnumetrical. — --Pbteb Lovb, 21
Queen's Road^ Upton Park^ Essex (in Irish
Farmer's Gazette),

MARKET PLANTS.— m.

Dbacjenas akd Febns.

$OLIAGED plants are largely in demand
for market purposes, but it may be said
to be essential that they possess hand-
somely marked foliage or an elegant habit of
growth. The Dracana and the Fern stand as
excellent illustrations of these two qualities,
and they are much grown in consequence.

In propagating Draccenas, a kind of frame
or hot-bed within a stove is used. A
great amount of bottom-heat and a moist
atmosphere are required, and these are best
secured by placing a small frame on the bed
under which the hot-water pipes are conducted,
with a glass lid lifting up and down. This is
filled with fresh cocoa-nut refuse, and that only ;
it la of the very first importance that the cocoa-

fibre be quite fresh, and not that previously
used for forcing purposes ; and this is put into
the frame to the depth of two or three inches.
The mode of converting the top of a
Draccena into a vigorous young plant, by
suspending a small pot which encircles the
stem just below the lowermost leaves, need
not be set forth in this relation ; but when this
is done, the stem of the decapitated plant is
used for raising cuttings, and it is cut up into
a series of circular segments, each containing
one or more eyes, and these are inserted in the
bed, and barely covered from view. The
brisk, moist bottom -heat soon causes
these pieces to put forth shoots, which in
their turn quickly make root, and then the
rooted shoots are carefully removed from the
piece of stem, and placed singly in thumb-pots
and plunged into bottom-heat, and grown on into
size as rapidly as possible. A segment of the
stem will put forth from one and two to five
and six, and even more plants. Young Dia-
c»nas are never over-potted ; they are shifted
into a slightly larger pot when necessary, and
if the plants are well handled they will average
from 15 in. to 20 in. in height in twelve
months, and be proportionately well developed
in width, and furnished with healthy leaves to
the bottom of the stem.

It is during December, January, andFebrpary
that the great bulk of the Dracamaa are pro-
pagated, and they are sent to market a fortnight
or so previous to Christmas, and then on till
the stock is exhausted. When the plants are
taken into an intermediate house to grow on
into size, the atmosphere is close and comfort-
ably warm ; in the autumn a moist atmosphere
•is maintained, but as autunm fades into winter,
they are kept somewhat drier, as damp at that
season will spot and disfigure their leaves. The
old D. terminalis is largely grown for market ;
it has a sturdy growth, which causes it to stand
well, and it colours quickly and effectively. D.
Cooperi and 2>. rubf*a are also favourite
varieties, while D. regina will also be used for
market-growing when it becomes plentiful
enough. The great bulk of the plants are sent
to market in 48-sized pots, and they are then,
when well done, perfect examples of suooeesfol
cultivation.

Febnb are so largely grown that they may
be counted by the thousand. The largest bulk

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1S78. ]

MAEKBT PLANTS : lU. — ^VILLA GABDENING AFBIL.

of the plants is sent to market in April, when
they are quite young and in thumb-pots. They
are freely bought up to be grown on into size.
The best kinds for market purposes are Ptens
serrulata and some of its crested varieties ;
P. argt/rcBc^ cretica^ and cretica alho-lineata ;
Adiantum farltyense^ cuneatum^ gracillimum^
formosum^ Gheishreghtii (scutum)^ and irapezi'
forme ; Nephrodium molle and its crested forms ;
Lomaria gihha^ PhUhodium aureum^ Nephrolepis
tuberom, and Blechnum corcovadense and
brasiltense. Ferns are employed in a thou-
sand ways, and the London and country trade
bay largely of small plants of the foregoing,
and use them when they are of sufficient size.

The houses in which Ferns are raised from
seed — ^and all are propagated in this way, with
the exception of A, farleyense — are so con-
structed as to be half-way down into the earth,
as they are intended to be entered only by
the workmen. A warm, moist atmosphere is
essential, and it is best secured in these
sepulchre-like erections, which are small and
narrow. Here, as in the case of propagating
DraccenaSj small frames are used for raising
the seeds. The spores are sown in October
and November, in well-drained 48-sized pot,
filled with a light peaty soil ; on .the top of
this the spores are thinly laid, and a bell-
glass placed over each. The consequence is
the young plants grow quickly and plentifully.
In the case of some sorts, a little fine mortar
rubbish is strewn over the surface of the pots,
and this materially assists growth. As soon
as the spores germinate, little tufts appear, and
these are divided as soon as it can be done, and
put in other pots ; and then when the little
plants are large enough they are put
singly into thumb -pots, and grown on
with the greatest rapidity. Adiantum farley-
ense is increased by division of the roots,
and a large stock has to be got together before
propagation can be extensively done. The
best time to divide is in winter and spring.
The pieces are put into small pots, plunged in a
quick bottom-heat, and grown on. By means of
successional batches this fine maiden-hair is
marketed nearly all the year round. Some
growers produce Gymnogrammae from seed,
bat they require very delicate attention during
the winter in a seedling state ; they are what
are termed bad doers, and are very impatient
of moisture, but when the right method is
hit upon, success is the rule, and failure the
exception.— B. Dban, Ealing^ W,

VILLA GARDENING FOR APRIL,

NE of our poets has written of April : —

"Now, Protons-like, smiling, and now in
tears,
Comes cheerful April, mingling hopes with fears."

This is very true, for the experience of the few
past years has taught gardeners that April is
a capricious month, and that in place of the
soft, warm rain-drops, there is often a visitation
of keen frosts and cold biting winds. Springs are
now so uncertain as to require on the part of
the gardener a constant watchfulness.

Greenhouse. — Growth is now the order of
the day. The clear bright sunlight and length-
ening days call plants into activity. Hard-
wooded plants that have done blooming, such as
Ericas^ Epacris, &c., should be repotted, and
the plants rearranged in as attractive and orderly
a manner as possible. After the plants are re-
potted, they should stand for a few days before
being watered, and then it needs to be done
thoroughly. Till then less air is required, owing
to the inactivity of the roots, but syringing two
or three times a week when the weather is fine
and warm will be beneficial. As little fire-heat
as possible should be applied, shutting up the
house between four and five o'clock, when the
atmosphere is nice and warm. What are known
as Soft-wooded plants are growing fast. Large-
flowered Pelargoniums^ for instance, are moving
rapidly, and need to have the shoots tied out as
they grow, and kept quite free from green-fly. In
giving air, care should be taken not to open the
windows on the windy side, especially when
north and easterly winds blow. Cold draughts
are injurious to the plants, and any one walk-
ing through the houses of a market-grower of
plants will be struck with the care taken to
exclude cold currents of air. Pelargoniums^
Fuchsias^ and other quick-growing plants that
it is not desirable to shift, will be much benefited
by stirring the surface and top-dressing with
some good soil.

Cold Gebenhouse. — During cold weather,
when the temperature falls low of a night, and
sharp frost may set in before morning, water-
ing should be done not later than mid-day, so
that the shelves may dry before night. This
applies more particularly to tender plants, but
it is a rule that should be applied to hardy
plants also. Of plants now flowering in a cold
greenhouse, we may mention the brilliant scarlet
Anemone fulgens^ Primula deniiculata^ P. pul'
cherrima^ and P. purpurea^ the last by far the
finest, but all three most useful for cutting
from; the pretty white Primula nivalis^ P.
minima^ P. marginata^ and P. intermedia ;
Triteleia lilacina^ a lovely subject for a cold
house ; Crocuses^ Polyanthuses^ Alpine Auri-
culas^ Narcissuses^ Zonal Pelargoniums^ and
some others. The green-fly is certain to b^
troublesome, but it is best to brush them

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ ArmiL,

off, niber than risk injury to the flowers by
fumigating with tobacco-smoke. Those who
grow a few Auriculas^ both show and Alpine,
will find the cold greenhouse a good place to
flower them in, shading the plants from the sun
during mid-day when it is hot and bright. The
beauty of many nice plants may be prolonged
by placing newspapers next the glass as a screen
from the sun.

Flowes-Qabden. — The propagation of
plants for bedding-out, and for the general
decoration of the garden, should now be pushed
on. Lobelias^ Pyrethrum Golden Feathet'^
Phlox Drunmumdii^ Marigolds^ Petunias^ Pent*
stemonsy Stocks^ Asters^ and other things so
much relied on to make the flower-guden
effectiye, should be through the soil ; and as
soon as the plants are large enough to handle
without injury, they should be pridsed off into
pans, pots, or shallow boxes — the last one to
be preferred — so as to be grown into size for
hardening-off in May. All that can be done to
get them into size and of a sturdy growth
should be attempted. Cockscombs^ BcUsamSj
Humea elegans, Lophospermums^ Maurandyas^
and other tender plants must be kept in heat,
but at the same time, not to a degree to cause
them to be drawn. It is best to put them on
i^he upper shelf of a greenhouse, which is
always a warm place, after they are pricked off,
and room is wanted in the hot-beds. Hcdf-
hardy Annuals of a robust character may be
town in the open border at the same time as
the hardy annuals, but sowing in some fine
light rich soil. April is a veiy busy month
in the Flower-garden, and a hundred things
demand the attention of the ViUa-gardener.

Cold Fbaxbs. — ^These now fulfil two good
purposes — they are the feeders to the cold
greenhouse, and they come in yeiy handy
indeed for hardening-off tender plants as the
weather admits of their being placed in them.
Lilies breaking into growth should be repotted ;
and it is beet not to put them into too large
pots, but when established in small pots
they should have some manure-water to assist
them. Those who grow Ixias^ SparaxtSy
BabianaSy Tritonia crocaia^ and some of the
choice Cape Bulbs should now take them into
the greenhouse, to assist flowering. A little
warmth at flowering time proves of great
assistance, but the plants should not be in the
full flood of the sunshine, and so in danger of
suffering from draught. The watering of
subjects in the cold frame must not be
neglected, as Phloxes^ Pentstemons^ &c., to be
pluited in May to flower in the summer need to
be kept growing. Even yet a little covering at
night w^l be found of service. The wind is in
the north, and may remain there during a good
portion of April.

EiTOHiN Garden. — Seed-sowing should be
proceeded with and completed as the weather

affords an opportunity. Caulifioiters and
Lettuces wintei^d in frames should be planted
out ; and no time should be lost in getting in
the main crops of Potatos and planting
Jerusalem Artichokes. Beds of herbs should
now be made. BroccoUs^ Cabbages^ CauU'
flowers^ IjettuceSy Savoys^ Kales^ Beet^ Carroty
Celery^ Parsley^ and successive crops of
Mustard and Cress and Radishes should be got
into the ground. Dry weather is the time to
sow, and if the seeds have to lie in the ground
waiting for rain, they will get no harm, if
undisturbed by birds. The hoe needs to be
used among growing crops ; the cold winds of
March dry and cause the surface-soil to crack ;
then the hoe should follow, to loosen the
surface ready for the gracious rain.

Fbuit Garden. — Apricots on walls are in
full blossom ; Peaches^ Nectarines, Plums, and
Pears, are also getting well into bloom.
Could we only get warm southerly breezes and
bright sunshine, a good fruit-harvest might be
anticipated. A few sprays of Spruce Hr put
in among the branches, taking care not to in-
jure the blossoms, will be of service, in the place
of any better mode of protection. A judicious
thinning-out of the blossoms is of value in
assisting the setting of the fruit-crop. Newly
planted fruit-trees will be greatly benefited
by mulching the roots with a good dressing
of manure and leaves. Any grafting should be
put in hand without delay.— -Sububbanus.

A NOTE ON SWEET-WILLIAMS.

^UST a few brief lines on the Sweet-
'William, which is one of the flowers I
last took a fancy to. Over twenty
years ago I had a few seeds presented to me
by my friend, the late Mr. Hunt These I
sowed, and in the first blooming season I
looked upon these varieties as being something
grand. From that time I have kept on sowing
and trying to improve them ; but taking Mr.
Hunt's advice, I have each year, from the first,
made away with all the inferior ones as they
came into bloom, and retained only a few of
the best to take seed from. I have thought
that I obtained improved forms each year, but
the varieties of last year eclipsed all I had
ever seen previously, and I had to notice at
least a dozen of most superb properties. Two
in particular are quite a jump over all
which I have previously seen. One has a
most brilliant scarlet-red ground-colour, with
a very dark distinct rim ; the other has
a pure white, ground, with eye and rim
of most brilliant colours. Both these sent

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1878.]

GARDEN GOSSIP.

up bold trusses of large pips on long and
strong foot-stalks, \7hich served to show the
flowers o£f to advantage. Woold not our
lamented Mr. Hunt have been pleased to have
seen these novelties ? The worst of the matter
is that at present I do not possess much stock
of either of them. Of the red-ground sorb, I
could onlj manage to get two layers, and very
few seeds ; of the white-ground sort, I got
three layers, but the few seeds I took from
it are small ^d light, so that I am doubtful of
their vegetating.

I have got a fair quantity of seeds, taken
from some of the other choice sorts, and I can
accommodate any floral friends who may wish
to have some at a trifling expense ; while,
should I be spared, I hope to be able to supply
during the autumn or in the spring of 1879,
either plants or seeds from the other two
superb varieties. — John Hepwobth, Crosland
Moor^ HuddersfUld,

GARDEN GOSSIP.

HE MEETINGS OP THE EOYAL HoBTICUL-

TT7BAL Society during the present year
have fully maintained their interest,
each having been marked by a display of objects
of considerable valae and beauty. There is no
questioning the fact that these minor gatherings,
which happen to meet the requirements of horti-
cnltnristB, do very much to keep alive and to bring
to a focus the horticoltoral spirit which is by no
means lacking amongst the general public ; and so
long as these are well managed, they will always
affOTd a nnoleos for farther development. At the
January meeting, certificates were awarded to Mr.
Williams for Bendrobium superhienst a fine Aus-
tralian plant allied to higihhumy and for Microlepia
hirta cristata, described at p. 69. Mr. Bull received
similar awards for two handsome Zamias, Z, corru^
gata and Z. lucida. The most interesting novelties
shown on February 19 were Mr. Williams' Primula
sinenna Jlmhruita eocctnea, noted at p. 48 ; Hceman'
thus rupestris, a fine West African bulb^ with purple-
mottled scapes, and globular heads of pure orange-
red flowers, shown by Mr. Bull ; and three splendid
Cyclamens^ White Beauty, from Mr. James, a pure
white of fine form ; Rosy Jfom, pale rose, from Mr.
H. B. Smith ; and Boseum grcmdijlorun^ one of the
giant race, with rosy-pink flowers, from Mr. Hayes,
— all these receiving certificates. March 6 brought
forward Axalea William Carmichaely one of a set of
pretty dwarf -habited hybrids now in the hands of
Mr. Williams, noted at p. 68 ; three hardy Prim-
roses, Bcott Wilson, Ealing Crimson, and Octoroon,
The first, from G. F. Wilson, Esq., is of a new colour,
a bluish-purple ; the others, from Mr. B. Dean, are
crimson and maroon respectively. The most interest-
ing subjects shown on March 19 were Magnolia
HciUana, a free-flowering species from Japan, with
double white flowers, with recurvingpetals, like white
Water Lilies ; and Hyacinth, King of the Blades, very
dark, with fine bells and spike. These, with Bollosa
PaUnU, aU from Messrs. Yeitch and Sons, were cer-

tificated, as were also Mr. Gatbnsh's Hyacinth Grand
Master, with large porcelain-blue bells ; Mr. Barr's
Narcissus incomparahilis Leedsii, with an orange-
rimmed cup; and Mr. Mills* Odontoglossum par-
dinum. Some beautiful groups were shown on each
occasion.

— ®HE Schedule of the National AuBicuLA
Society (Northern Section) is now issued, and
sets forth the prizes to be competed for at the
forthcoming Exhibition, which is to be held in Man-
chester, in connection with the Show of the Botani-
cal Society, in the New Town Hall, on April 80.
There are sixteen classes, and numerous prizes. The
Alpine Auriculas are separated into yellow-centred
and white-centred, which appears to be a very proper
sub-division. Schedules may be had of the hon.
secretary, Eev. F. D. Homer, Kirkby Malzeard,
Bipon, to whom also applications for exhibition-
labels should be made not later than April 25.

— ®F New Books, we may mention the

issue of a third and cheaper edition of RohinsorCs

Hardy Flowers (Macmillan). It is a useful book,

full of information concerning the beautiful hardy
perennials, which are now receiving a large share of
popular sympathy. — Wood*s Good Qardening (Lock-
wood) has reached a second edition, and contains
much elementary information likely to be useful to
amateurs. — Hooper's Gardening Guide is a useful
epitome of information concerning the best pepular
flowers and vegetables, with very numerous illus-
trations, and a calendar of garden work adapted to
meet the wants of amateurs.

— AKe have been favoured by Mr. A. G.

More vrith an opportunity of examining a frond

of Athybium Filiz-f(emin a Fbizelllb, gathered

recently at Garrabagh Fanet» county Donegal, by
Mr. H. Chichester Hart, son of the Yice-Provost of
Trinity College, Dublin. Miss Frizell's Lady Fern,
a most interesting deviation from the normaJ type,
and one which has not only been perpetuated from
spores, but has also given birth to other sports, was
previously only known as having been gathered in a
wild state in the county WidUow.

— Seat Boses should play a conspicuous
part at the Mabbiaoe of Lord Bosebsby is
appropriate enough, but even a Bothschild
might have doubted the possibility of obtaining
8,000 Tea-scented rose-blossoms in March. Never-
theless, says the Gardeners* Chronicle, the feat was
accomplished by Mr. Wills, whose energy and re-
sources seem never to fail. The pretty and becoming
idea of surrounding the bridal presents with a
setting of Boses, Orchids, Ferns, £o., la said to have
orig^ated with the bride herself.

— ®HE use of CoBK Blocks fob Obghids
is condemned by Mr. Anderson, of Meadow
Bank, on the ground that after a year or two
the corrugations of the cork sadly interfere with
the progress of the roots, which are partly strangled
in their elongation, and in some instances to such a
degree as to cause complete, or almost complete,
cessation of growth, while roots that get among the
potsherds with a clean face continue to grow on
satisfactorily, keeping up the balance of continuity
between themselves and the stem and leaves above
the surface. He adds : — " The longer my experi-
ence with it extends, the more I see the baneful
efteots of it upon general orchid-onlture."

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THE FL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

[ Apbil,

— ©HE beautiful Sophboottis gbanditloba,

or rather its more brilliant scarlet companion,

S. GOCCINEA, is growing with remarkable vigour

tipon yirgin cork in the collection of orchids in
course of formation by Mr. A. B. Stewart, of Baw-
cliffe Lodge, Langside, Glasgow. The roots of the
Sophronitis are small, and thns escape the injury
stronger-rooting kinds sustain on this material.
Moreover, it grows in the coolest of temperatures,
and in surfaced with sphagnum. No finer sight than
this plant could any one see about December. Apart
from all this, Mr. Anderson advises to use as little
cork as possible, and to employ either baskets of
wood — teak and mahogany being the best — or
basket-pots well prepared as to drainage, in which
cases the general success will unquestionably be
greater.

— ®NE of the most distinct of evergreen

oaks is QUEBGTTS AUSTBIAOA BEMPEBYIBENS.

Unlike the ordinary evergreen oak, Quercus

Hex, it has large foliage, resembling that of the
British oak, and which retains its bright green
colour when those of other oaks are perishing on
the branches er decaying on the ground. Quercus
austriaca sempervirenSf which is grown by Mr. E.
Smith of Worcester, may be regarded as an ever-
green English oak of a very hardy and ornamental
character.

— ^b.'D. Wilson, the gardener at Castle-
hill, the North-Devon seat of Earl Fortescue,
utilises Back walls fob obowing gbapes, by

training his vines so as to cover one-third of the
lower part of the front roof all over; from this
point he leaves a space of about two feet free from
leaves between each vine to the top of the house, so
that the small sacrifice of space made in the front-
roof trellis may give light and sun to the back
waU, which thus becomes available for training,
and more than compensates for the slight decrease
of roof-space. The whole of the house below the
vines, moreover, becomes available for growing any
sort of fruit-trees in pots, or any of the numerous
varieties of palms, or other fine-foliaged plants. To
grow grapes on this system, the front vines must
be planted somewhat wider apart than usual, say, two
instead of three, that is, about one vine to every one
and a half rafter. The two end vines should be
planted at the two extreme ends, in the usual way.
The baok-wall trellis should be at a distance of 16 in.
from the wall, in order to prevent the bunches from
rubbing aad to give room for development. The
unsightly back walls are hidden with green leaves
and fmit, which, together with the plants above
mentioned, greatly improve the api)earance of a
vinery.

— OCkdeb the name of Euoalypsinthe, a

new preparation from Eucalyptus, is announced

from France. This liquor is said to have been

obtained by distillation from the leaves, and to
be at once grateful to the palate, exhilarating,
and not only quite harmless, but possessing many
useful medical properties. This new beverage ap-
pears to be largely made and consumed in Marseilles,
and it is thought that it will possibly soon become
as popular as absinthe, and probably to a great
extent take its place.

— ®HB beet time to apply Fibb-hbat to
BiPEK Gbapes, writes a correspondent of
the Journal of Horticulture^ is during the day.

In dull days raise the temperature to 65^ or 70^
giving a little air on at top and bottom. Let the fire
go very low at night, when the house is dark, and b'ttle
air is being admitted. When there is only a bright
day once or twice a week, do not let the fire go
out because it is fine, but, on the contrary, keep the
fire as strong as on a dull day, give more air, and
let the temperature rise to 80°, 85°, or even 90°.
This is the time they will colour quickly, and not
only oolonr, but acquire flavour, which is more de-
sirable than a fine appearance. Treated in this way,
it is surprising the progress grapes will make to-
wards maturity in three or four weeks. Of course,
when day after day is bright and warm, it is unneces-
sary to use any fire-heat. Then do not admit too
much air. Always keep the heat up about 80° dnring
the day, and close the ventilators early enough in
the afternoon to maintain a temperature throughout
the night of 66° or 70°. These are the best ways of
working the heat ; but other assistance may be given.

— Uabiegated-Lbayed Boses are few in

number. A year or two since Madame Boths-

child threw out a shoot with variegated foliage,

which, being worked, has remained constant. This
occurred at Bray, near Dublin. It has been asked
whether such a phenomenon has been observed
before, to which it must be replied that Mr. E. J.
Lowe exhibited one some years since.

— ^* Fb^mont recommends, in order to

Keep Gut Flowebs Fbssh, the use of a solution

of Ave grammes (about one-sixth of an ounce

avoirdupois) of chlorhydrate of ammonia or sal
ammoniac in a litre (not quite a quart) of water.
After numerous experiments, he finds that the
flowers keep fresh for a fortnight if the stalks are in-
serted in this liqaid.

— SStEV. Andbew Bloxah, one of the best

known of British botanists, died on February

2, at Harborough Magna, Warwick, at the age

of 76. Mr. Bloxam's study of the British flora ex-
tended over more than 60 years ; he was one of the
earliest and most successful students of Bubi, and
published several papers on this genus. He studied
the fungi with great assiduity and success, and his
large collection of them was acquired a few years
ago by the British Museum.

— ^B. Geoboe Holmes, who was for over

30 years gardener at Hardwick Hall, near

Ohesterfield, the seat of the Marquis of Hart-

ington, died on February 8, having attained the
ripe age of 88 years. He was well known in Derby-
shire for his extensive knowledge of herbaceous
plants, of which he made a good collection at Hard-
wick, which place he left, with a pension, about five
years ago.

— fiKR. Samuel Woollet, of Oheahunt,
died on February 5, at the age of 57. He com-
menced his gardening career as a journeyman

under Mr. Williams (father of Mr. B. S. Williams),
in the garden of the late John Warner, Esq., of
Hoddesdon. About 25 years since he was appointed
gardener to the late H. BeUenden Eer, Esq., of
Gheshunt, and for several years was a most success-
ful exhibitor of Orchids and Ferns at Ghiswick and
Begent's Park. When Mr. Eer left Gheshunt, some
years since, Mr. WooUey took some portion of the
garden into his own hands, and commenced busi-
ness as a grower of cut flowers for max^et.

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Nin\' D\A'arf CaiidvLui'ts.

1 Dwarf Rose-cclomed 2 DNvaT^f Whi^.o.^,^^^ byGoOglC

^ _ Digitjzad.byVjjQOQlC

..Di^te©d^ywCX)Ql&^ '' j

1878. ]

THE PHILOSOPHT OF FI1OBI8T8 FL0WEB8 — H.

NEW DWAEF
[Plate

i)HE New Dwarf Candytufts represented
in our plate, have, with one or two
other varieties, been recently introduced
by MM. Vilmorin-Andrieux et Oie., of Parisi
under the name of Thlaspi hyhride nain rose^
and nain blanc. They are in reality very dwarf
tufted-growing and highly-floriferous forms of
Iberia umbellata. The habit of growth is
shown in the small uncoloured figure in our
plate. These hybrid Iberises are said to form
a new race which is of the first order of merit ;
and this position the two varieties we have
selected for illustration fully maintained last
year at Chiswick, where they were grown from
seeds contributed by MM. Vilmorin, and where
they were awarded first-dass certificates.

The following are the descriptions printed in
the Beport on Annuals grown at Ohiswick,
1877, published in the Journal of the Ttoyal
Horticultural Society (v. 42) : —

**L umbellaia nana rosea: height, 9 inches;
umbels very large and flat; petals broad, white,
tinged with rosy-pink. A novel and very effective
variety.

"L umbellata nana alha: height, 9 inches;
nmbels large; the petals broad, pnre white. A
very showy, distinct^ and splendid variety."

CANDYTUFTS-

466.]

These were the only two certificated oat of
fifteen lands of Candytuft grown for trials
their superiority being so distinctly apparent*
Being hardy free-blooming annuals, as suitable
for the smallest as for the largest gardens, we
have no doubt they will become highly popular^
as they deserve to be. The plants branch from
the very base, forming a corymbose tuft of
branches only a few mches high, each branch
being tipped by one of the showy broad-petaled
umbellate fiower-heads. The white is valuable
for its density of growth and purity of colour ;
the rose-tinted one for its novel and beautiful
colour in addition to its dwarf tufted growth.
Our descriptive notes run thus : —

Fig. 1. IBSBIS UMBELLATA NANA B08EA. — Height

9-10 inches, densely branched, forming a flat head
of nnmerons corymbs of flowers; branches stont,
erect, crowded, each bearing a succession of flower-
heads ; leaves alternate, linear, lanceolate, with a
depressed central rib. Flowers in dense flat
corymbose heads, the individual blossoms large,
unequal-petaled as in the type, of a beautiful soft
rosy-pink. Quite a new colour amongst the annual
Candytufts, and very chaste and pleasing.

Fig. 2. Ibeeis umbellata nana alba. — Habit,
stature, and general character as in the former.
Flowers and flower-heads large, pnre white, very
showy. A really useful acquisition. — T. Moobs.

THE REV. G.

JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS'
FLOWERS.— n.

my last, I disposed of the first of
the three forms of objection in which
the charge of uselessness is ordinarily
brought against the system of fancy flowers.

'^IL The second objection admits the ex-
istence among us of a systematic standard of
excellence, not the mere creature of caprice,
but repudiates it as bad, on the ground that to
admit any such external and common standard
at all, it not being founded in nature, is un«
naturally to cramp the freedom of taste existing
separately and independently in erery one. And
further, because, by creating a conventional
fastidiousness, it restricts instead of augmenting
the pleasure derivable from flowers, and flxes
our admiration rather on effects produced by
art, than on the genuine beauties of nature.

^^ This form of objection, or some portion of
it, is most frequently used by those who are
naturally capable of the highest degree of dis-
crimination, both of beauties and of defects, in
such matters, — the ladies ; and therefore I am
not without hope that when I have shown
them that their fears are groundless, I shall

KO. 5. DfPEBIAL 8EBIES. — I.

enlist heartily in our cause some of the ablest
supporters of this really interesting science.
And that the objection, though specious and
less transparently unsoimd than the former, is
wholly imaginary, might not unreasonably be
inferred, from the universal habit of florists
perversely to agree in preferring their bondage
to liberty ; wlule yet they ever become more
interested in their pursuit, the more they occupy
themselves in it, and at the same time con-
tinue to retain their relish for a hedge Violet
or a Primrose.

^^ Those who plead for ignorance, even though
it be ignorance of the properties of a Pink, are
presumptively in the wrong. Nor will the pre-
sumptive evidence in this instance mislead us,
for the objection assumes as true what I hope
to show is unfounded :— (1) That there is no
external standard of floral excellence in Nature,
but only in the capricious taste of each beholder ;
(2), that therefore the established system is o£,
the florist*s making^ not of his finding ready
made for him ; (3), that to be bound by it, is to
diminish the natural pleasure beneficently given
us by the Creator in the works of his creation.

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[MAT.

"1. With regard to the first assomption,
the principal object of these papers is to trace
oat from nature, as I hope to do in a subse-
quent one, that standard which is alleged to
have no existence ; for there certainly is an
external standard of perfection, and that in
every species of flower, even though we should
never reach it in practice, to see it ; because
care and cultivation uniformly develop certain
qualities, differing in each species, which are
only dimly, and perhaps not at all, seen in
their wild or natural state. And in those
kinds which are technically called florists*
flowers, or such as are capable of great diver-
sity in their varieties, by a judicious use of the
method of hybridising, fresh varieties are still
produced, more and more developing those
qualities in the same direction, and pointing to
a yet invisible standard of what, if ever
reached, would be the perfection of that
particular species.

*' 2. Therefore it follows, that if florists do
not unwisely depart from the standard indi-
cated in nature, their requirements are not
their own, and they are not answerable for any
alleged consequences of their art. It is not
they who put restrictions on the admirers of
natural beauties, if any such restrictions exist
(which, however, they do not), but not eten for
the appearance of them are they answerable.
The work of the florist is simply to follow
whither nature leads him, selecting always that
track in which there is the greatest promise of
success ; and on his judgment in never depart-
ing from this, and in using the best means for
securing the accomplishment of his desires,
depends the correctness of his practical science.

'^And though mbtakes have, of course,
been made, and will be made again, in the
endeavours after advancement in each particu-
lar object of our culture, yet these still become
fewer as progress is made in developing the
natural powers and characteristic excellenoes of
the plant, whereby the philosophy of its im-
provement is seen ; ^nd we do not work in the
dark, because there t> a system of such devel-
opment in nature, anil a definite point of per-
fection, the constant approach to which con-
stitutes improvem^t in each species. And as
this is effected by crossing the seed of those
varieties which have shown respectively the
greatest advacnoes in some particular quaUty, it
is plain that tiiere is a substantial truth in the
phrase common among florists, — ^ a high-bred
Jlower*

'^ 8. As to the third and last assumption, —
namely, the hardship of being deprived of the
power of admiring a wild Pansy, and so of
losing half the pleasure designed by the Creator,
— the matter is not quite fairly stated. I do
not think florists generally despise wild flowen
in their proper place ; with myself, I know
the very reverse is the fact. I take much
more pleasure in them now than I did before
I paid attention to their cultivated varieties.
And farther, I think it will be found that a
wild Pansy will be tolerated, and even
cherished, by a florist, where a badly cultivated
oiie, though much in advance of it in respect
of properties, would be consigned with disgust
to the pit, as a weed.

^^ Yet it is frankly to be admitted that an
untutored eye may delight in a cultivated
specimen, which to the more deeply versed,
and therefore fastidious, taste of a connoissear,
would convey unqualified distaste. But that
is no more an argument that a person must
sacrifice his pleasure in flowers by learning to
cultivate them, than it is an argument against
learning the art of painting, lest the student
should lose his admiration of the signs in the
streets; or the art of music, lest he should
cease to be pleased with the organ of an itiner-
ant. The same argument, indeed, is equally
available, and has been often used against aU
civilisation generally, and every particular part
of it. The fact is, that we are so constituted
that our onward progress in everything must
be clogged with such accompaniments, and he
who would have it otherwise forgets that he is
in a world of probation, and discipline, and
hardness. We are urged forward only by the
goads and i^urs of our wants. But who ever
regretted the introduction of coffee from
Arabia, tea from China, or muslin from India,
because the use of these things is inseparably
connected with disgust at acorn diet, and at
the homespun manufactares of our ancestors ?
The refinement of our pleasures, in changing
their objects, does not necessarily abridge them.
Nor, though it were sure to introduce a cor-
responding loss at the other end of the scale,
would it lessen by a hair's-breadth the sum of
human enjoyment, while assuredly it is capable
of a beneficial effect in humanising the man.
And therefore I think ladies especudly should
pause before they find fault with a pursuit
which may, in its degree, become subservient
to one of the great ends they themselves are
destined to fulfil on our behalf. Iota.*'

DIEFFENBACHIA SHUTTLEWORTHII.
jEffS ^ery distinct and strikingly hand- Mr. Shutlleworth, after whom it is named. It
some stove-plant has been recently im- is perhaps one of the handsomest of all the
ported from the United States of Colom- Dieffenbachias, and certainly one which is so
bia bjr Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, through his collector, markedly different from the ordinary blotched*

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IffS. J

DIEFFENBACHIA SHUTTLEWOBTHII.

DiXFFKNDACBIA SH UTILE WO&THIT.

leaved sorts, that place could be found for both
types in even a moderately small collection. It
has the erect but compact habit of D, Bausei
and its allies, the stem being stout, fleshy, erect,
and of a palish-green colour ; the leaf -stalks also
are erect, green, marginate, and sheathing the
stem in the lower half. The blade of the leaf
is spreading, oblong-ovate or lanceolate, a foot
or more in length, and four inches broad, of a

bright green colour, the costa ivory-white, with
a band of silvery-grey variegation on either
side, about half-an-inch in breadth, breaking
outwards into a feathered and freckled margin.
The strong contrast is remarkable and exceed-
ingly beautiful, the dense leafy habit of the
plant, moreover, and the consequent abundant
su if ace-col oration which it presents rendering
it strikingly bright and efifective in its appear-

r 2

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THE FLORIST AND P01I0L00I8T.

[Mat.

ance. Owing to the more elongated oatline of
the leares, too, the foliage appears less heary
than in some other sorts, while it is sufficiently
large to assume a bold and ornamental char«
acter.— T. Moobe.

FRUIT-CULTURE.

Site as aiveotiho FEETiLmr.
OUBTLESS a good many fruit failures
originate in the unnatural divorce
between site and fertility. Nature has
obviously bound these two together to a great
extent) but they have been put asunder through
the mere convenience, ignorance, or caprice of
planters and planners. There are fashions in
such matters, as well as in ploughing — and in
bonnets. The fashion of late years has been
as far as possible to hide kitchen-gardens and
orchards, as much as may be, out of sight.
Hard-and-fast lines have been too often set up
between the domains of utility and ornament,
in the disposing of the demesne, which have
practically limited the selection of sites for
fruits to the narrowest limits. Such lines of
demarcation are as far removed from good-
taste as they are inconvenient in practice.
Everything useful or necessary about a demesne
is also or may be made ornamental. True
art is an eihibitor, not a hoarder, nor a hider
of beauty ; and this rule is espedally applicaUe
to fruit*garden8 and orchards. The old land-
scape gardeners knew nothing and cared less of
the modem canon of beauty, that requires the
concealment of every utilitarian object, and is too
fastidious to endure the sight of a brick, unless
it is dabbed over with stucco ; or of a kitchen
garden or orchard, unless hidden in a hole, and
furthur emasculated and enfeebled by an im-
penetrable blind of trees or slurubs. Who shall
calculate the fruit-failures that have thus arisen
from the false taste that demanded the con-
cealment of utilitarianism from the window of
the mansion? The lowest ground has often
been chosen to assist in hiding or planting out
fruit-gardens. The consequence has been that
the cold air has rolled down to the lowest sites
with as much certainty as water finds its level,
and the frosts have blasted the blossoms as
surely as the butterfly finds the flower, or the
bee the honey.

Next to this mischievous mania for conceal-
ment, the desire for shelter has proved the

greatest obstacle to the selection of the most
fertile sites for fruit-trees. Shelter in modera-
tion, of the proper sort, at the right place, is a
good thing, but an excess of shelter means
simply weakness, and that renders destruction
more easy. Low-lying valleys, especially if
carefully sheltered with living screens of
considerable density, also expose fruit-tree
blossoms to a new danger — ^that is, a still
atmosphere. The more placid the air during
frost, the sooner and the more completely are
the plants or trees emptied of their heat. Just
as a breeze hinders the surface of water from
freezing, by intermixing the warmer water of a
lower level with the colder directly in contact
with the air, so a gentle breeze in the atmos-
phere intermixes the warmer with the colder
strata, and thus conserves the heat of the trees,
and saves their blossoms from destruction by
frost. Hence the importance of securing an
elevated site agitated by any passing zephyr,
rather than a sheltered valley— stagnant as
sheltered — in which the frost is intensified by
the stillness.

From this it is obvious that a certain
measure of elevation and exposure in fruit-tree
sites is favourable to fertility, and this is
abundantly proved by experience. Of course it
is easy to go to excess in either. No one would
advocate the cultivation of superior fruit on a
high mountain-top, nor in the teeth of the east
or north wind, but by ^ elevation " is meant a
moderate altitude, ranging from fifty to two or
three hundred feet above*the water-line in the
immediate neighbourhood. In such positions,
with the force of prevailing winds shut out by
yet higher grounds or lining-screens, fruit-trees
will generally prove more constantly fertile than
on lower grounds. Here, too, the local site
is of much moment. A northern outlook,
unless for the hardiest fruits or in the warmest
localities, should never be selected. I know
kitchen gardens that have many crops, and
have their fruits annually much lowered in
quality, and their whole produce retarded for
a month or six weeks every year, by inclining to
the north. Neither is an eastern incline of
the ground or site to be preferred. The old
horticulturists were fond of eastern sites for
their orchards. It is one of the most delight-
ful sights in nature, an orchard in full bloom,
lightened Up into a glow of beauty by the

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1878.]

ITALIAN VIOLETS.

risiiig glory of the morning sun ; but how often
is there death to the fruit grown in these early
morning splendours ! The warmth of the sun
treads on the hardened heels of the frost, and
transforms their crystallised purity and beauty,
into sheer blackened masses of death and do-
composition.

By choosing for the trees a more southern,
south, or western site, such risks of rapid thaw-
ings, which are at least as destructive to fertility
as severe freezings, are reduced to the lowest
limits consistent with the securing of a maxi-

mum amount of sunshine and warmth for the
setting of fruit-blossoms, and the swelling and
finishing of the fruit. It is on this account
that sites even a few points north or west are
often more fertile than those south by east.

But sufficient has been written to show the
importance of the subject, and perhaps to
direct more careful attention to it ; for there
can hardly be doubt that site is often more
potential than capital, labour, or skill in com-
manding or perpetuating fertility. — ^P. T. Fish,
Hardmcke Hous€y Bwn/ St. EdmuncCs,

ITALIAN

' OME time since, says our contemporary,
the Oardeners^ Chronicle, whence we
borrow the illustration, " we received,
through the kind intervention of the Marquis
Corsi-Salviati, specimens of Violets, blue and
white, from Oount Savorgnandi Brazza, of
Soreschiano, near Udine, aboiit midway be-
tween Venice and Trieste, at the head of the
Adriatic. As these much excelled all similar
Violets which we had seen, we sought permis-
sion to have some of them engraved, and the

VIOLETS.

illustration now given gives a fair idea of their
size and regularity of form, and this at the end
of the flowering season. In January and Feb-
ruary the blooms are yet finer. The plant is
of very sturdy robust habit, with fine bold
foliage and a profusion of flowers. How far
these noble Violets owe their attributes to the
maritime climate of the Adriatic, we cannot
say." The left-hand figures represent the blue
form, the right-hand the white. They were the
finest double Violets we have ever seen.

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THE FLOBIBT AND POMOLOOIBT.

[Mat,

THE GHENT QUINQUENNIAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

i)HE Societe Roycde d Agriculture et de
Botaniqtte de Gand Has just held iU
tenth qoinquennial International Horti-
coltnral Exhibition, which has to be re-
corded as one of the successes of 1878. It
was held in the buildings and grounds of the
Casino, a well-known place of public resort.
The weather was unfortunately unpropitious
at the commencement, but changed for the
better towards the close. Notwithstanding
stormy winds, drenching rains, and biting
frosts, the great central hall of the Casino,
with an annexe, and a large three-aisle build-
ing in the grounds, together with a suite of
smaller rooms^ devoted to new plants and
specialities, were filled to overflowing; while
the various horticultural buildings erected for
exhibition were themselves utilised, and con-
tained a wonderfully fine display of Hyacinths
and Amaryllids.

The jury met at 10 a.m. on March 30th,
and having been drafted off into eighteen
sections (the Due de Cazes, President of the
Botanical Society of France, being chosen
President-Qeneral, and Mr. Thomas Moore, of
the Chelsea Botanic Garden, Secretary-General),
proceeded in due course to make their awards.
The most noticeable objects amongst the
numerous plants collected together in the Great
Hall were the groups of Azalea indica amongst
flowering plants, and the Palms, Ferns, Cycads,
Draceenas, ^., amongst foliage plants. The
Azaleas, inimitable examples of horticultural
skill, were usually grown on short clean stems,
with dome-shaped heads of 3 ft. to 5 ft. across,
and were literally masses of glowing colours in
almost endless variety. Those shown by M.
Ghellinck de Walle, who won the King's gold
medal for 50 specimens, by the Comte de Ker-
chove de Denterghem, by M. Jean Vervaene,
and by M. Louis Van Houtte, were especially
good. Palms are alwa}'s a great feature at these
shows, the fortunate possessors not being so
chary as our own atistocracy in permitting them
to be brought into public. Here M. Ghellinck
de Walle took the gold medal for 40, with a
group of noble plants ; and M. Van Houtte, M.
D'Haene, M. A. Verschaffelt, M. J. Nuyttens-
Verschaffelt, and others contributed freely. The
leading prizes for Cycads were won by M.
Qh^llinck de Walle, Comte de Kerchpve de Den-

terghem, M. G. Nuyttens-VerschaffeltjM. Van-
den Wouwer, M. A Van Geert, and M. Van
Houtte. For Pandanads, M. Van Houtte took
first prize in all three classes. For 12 Tree-
Fems, the Queen's gold medal fell to the Comte
de Eerchove, and the prize for the most beauti-
ful example to M. Vanden Wouwer, probably
one of the handsomest Tree-Fems ever shown,
a Dicksonia antarctica, with a stout trunk 6 ft.
to 8 ft. high, and a dense symmetrical head in
perfect health and freshness, with a spread of
at least I2ft.~really a model Tree-Fem. A
splendid group of 40 mixed tree and herba-
ceous Ferns from M. Ghellinck de Walle, and
another of 40 grand herbaceous Ferns from the
Comte de Eerchove, were first in their respect-
ive classes, as was a group of 20 well-grown
Adiantums from the latter, a most effective class.
Mr. J. Wills took the first prize in the three
classes of Draceenas, with collections of his
famous hybrids.

In another large building the more hardy
kinds of plants, as Bhododendrons, Camellias,
choice Conifers, Japanese Maples, cool-house
Ferns, ^c, were arranged. Here were some
splendid groups of Azalea mollis, a race of plants
destined to take a foremost place amongst the
hardy shrubs grown for forcing into flower in
early spring, being remarkable for their tints of
yellow, salmon, and rose, and extremely florif-
erous. Several of the plant-houses erected for
exhibition were utilised. Thus one which was
kept heated accommodated a choice set of
Orchids from Messrs. W. Bollisson and Sons,
a good miscellaneous group from Messrs.
Veitch and Sons and Mr. B. S. Williams,
and many other interesting minor exhibits;
another accommodated a grand lot of 100
Hyacinths, the best that have been seen this
season, shown by Messrs. Veitch and Sons;
another was devoted to several competing sets
of Hyacinths, of which M. Van Houtte's were
the best ; and in yet another were some grand
lots of 75 Hippeastrums, M. Van Houtte's and
the Comte de Eerchove's, which respectively
took the leading prizes in the Amateurs' and
Nurserymen's classes, being far in advance of
the rest.

In the open grounds was a grand display of
subjects much more used abroad than with us,
namely, splendid examples of standard Bays,

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OUB GARDEN PEAS.

Laarastinus, p3rramidal and colamuar Box,
&o. ; and there was a very large assortment
of horticultural erections, implements, and
sundries.

The novelties were exhibited in a separate
warmed apartment, and the numerous prizes
were hotly contested, the first mostly falling
to Mr. W. Bull, and the second to Mr. J.
Linden, both of whom showed many good
plants, those from Mr. Bull being of remarkable
merit, as the prize-list testified. M. Jacob-
Makoy, M. L. De Smet, and M. A. Van
Geert were also exhibitors. Some of the more
striking of Mr. Bull's plants were Dieffenhachia
Leopoldii^ a splendid plant, with ovate velvety
dark-green leaves, marked down the centre with
an ivory rib and band, the stem streaked with
bladdsh-purple ; D, regina^ one of the most
striking of the blotched kinds, with a yellow-
ish or creamy surface, blotched with mixed
patches of yellowish-green and dark green, and
narrowly bordered with dark green ; D. Shuttle*
worthily a distinct species, with more lance-
shaped leaves having a broad feathered silvery
central band; Davallia Jiji'ensiSy one of the
handsomest of the hare's-foot ferns, remarkable
for the large size and finely-cut divisions of its
evergreen fronds ; Dipteris Horsfieldii^ a splendid
Javanese fern, with remarkable bipartite pal-
matifid fronds, glaucous beneath, elevated on
long wiry petioles ; several Crotons ; the West
African Droccpna Qoldieana^ with its fine zebra-
like transverse markings, now pretty well
known, though new in a commercial sense;
several distinct Aralias; Anthurium instgnts^
remarkable for its glossy three-parted decurved
leaves; the Sandwich Island Cibotium Men'
zieaiij a tree-fern of bold and distinct character ;
Lastrea ariatata variegata^ a Japanese form of
this nearly hardy evergreen species, in which a
band of yellow-green on both sides of the costa
produces a very striking variegation; and
Selaginella Victorioe^ a very handsome species
in the way of S. Wallichii. In M. Linden's
various groups were Anthurium I>echardtt\ a
fine novelty, with large white spathes, of which
there appears to be varieties differing in size
and merit; Massangea Lindeni^ a very fine
Bromeliad, with the bright light-green leaves,
transversely barred in irregular wavy lines with
black, one variety called JM. L, vermiculaia
being also dotted with black; Philodtndron

gloriosumj with heart-shaped, satiny-green
leaves, marked with pale ribs ; Kentia Lindeni
and K, Luciani^ two new and handsome
New Caledonian palms; and several Aralias^
Crotons^ and Dieffmhachias, M. Makoy had
several Brazilian Marantas in the way of
M. Massangeana, the best perhaps being
Maranta Moireni^ which is of a more bronzy
hue throughout. M. Van Houtte showed in
one of his groups the pretty Daphne Blagay*
anOy a dwarf hardy evergreen shrub, with
neat oblong leaves, and abundant heads of
creamy-white showy fiowers. Such are some
of the principal features of this fine show,
which may be regarded as one of the chief
horticultural events of the year.

The exhibition, which lasted for a week,
was opened to the public by the King and
Queen of the Belgians in person on March
81st, and their Majesties spent nearly three
hours in inspecting the objects exhibited. On
the same day the banquet given by the Society
to the members of the jury took place in the
saloons of the grand theatre, M. Delcour, the
Minister of the Interior, being amongst the
guests. There were upwards of 200 persons
present. The hospitality of our Belgian friends
on these occasions is always most cordial and
profuse.— T. Moobb.

OUR GARDEN I^EAS.

(jppT is high time to look up our information
^ 1^ on the subject of these vegetables, when
(Hd our French neighbours and others are
sending us Oreen Peas in tins available for the
table any day in the year. I have eaten these
preserved Peas, when Green Peas from the
garden could not be obtained, and although
they bear no comparison with well-grown fresh
Peas, yet with the help of a little bicarbonate
of soda to green their outsides and soften
their hearts, they pass muster at the market
ordinary, where contented farmers are delighted
to see them at unlikely times.

In the early days of my acquaintance with
garden Peas, the Early Charlton, with small
white seeds about the size of buckshot and
nearly as hard, was the first of the season.
At the time when Charlton was a sea of market
gardens in the immediate vicinity of London,
this sort would no doubt be looked upon as the
Loudon early Pea, but Charlton has long ago

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THE FL0BI6T AND POMOLOGIBT.

[Hay,

merged into London on the Surrey aide, and
ai for the early Peas, new names of sorts with
new properties, dwarf habits, &c, have come
to the front, to meet the wants of the grower,
as well as those of the user. The acres of Peas
grown to find London in pulse are not staked
like those grown in gentlemen's gardens, but
are allowed to stand or fall down as wind and
weather may permit, and one gathering often
suffices, after which the ground is cleared of
this early crop, to admit of a late crop of some-
thing else, for imless two crops are got for one
rent, rates, and taxes, the business would not
pay.

All the tins of preserved Psas that I have
seen consisted of small hard Peas, not unlike the
old Charlton, and no doubt they had been
grown in fields without any stakes or props.
Peas grown in this way are apt to have the pods
soiled with earth or sand, and require careful
shelling to keep the seeds clean. The women
who usually shell the Peas in Covent Garden
Market pass the sample through a sieve, so
that the larger and older seeds are thereby
excluded. When people prefer buying their
Peas to growing them, they get their money's
worth, and as they know no better, their bliss-
ful state need not be tampered with, for washing-
soda will do wonders with white Peas, and it
is cheaper than bicarbonate as a dye-stuff.

Soon after I had charge of a garden on my
own account, I found very great difficulty in
keeping up a regular supply of Green Peas for
the family. Bepeated sowings of different
varieties would either all come in together,
and make a glut, or a month of warm weather
would send all my stock of Peas past eating, as
if I were ripening them for next year's seed,
not to name mildew for want of rain, and also
allowing to pass into oblivion what the mice
devoured before the plants got much above
ground, or what the sparrows carried off or the
mole upheaved in hunting worms. The first
season settled my views. After consulting all
the advice available in books, I thought I must
strike out a course for myself, and make accurate
experiments that should guide me as to when
each kind should be sown, with a view to
its coming in as green Peas for the table ; and
that I must likewise lay in under each row of
Peas such a reserve of wet manure, and at such
a depth, that mildew might bo avoided, for
watering this kind of crop in hot and dry

weather is not likely to reach the feeders of
the plants, and only deceives the gardener who
trusts to it. I got samples of all the best
varieties of Peas, and sowed them all on one day
early in March, and registered the time that
each sample took to come to maturity, that
is, to green peas fit for table. The reader
will see from these experiments good reason
for my want of success, when I sowed succes-
sion crops of Peas of various sorts without
any fixed rule to guide me, for only one variety
came in fit for use in 90 days, though some
other earlies were only a few dajrs later. The
dwarf varieties had the advantage of the
taller kinds, as they could be sheltered more
easily. A noted grower once remarked to me
that he did not reckon a Pea worth growing
whose haulm did not reach 6 ft. In a general
way, I agree with him, but there is one notable
exception to this rule, and that is in the variety
known as Veitch's Perfection, which seldom
runs more than four feet, and is literally Per^
feetion^ carrying the largest seeds and the
largest pods known at the time this variety
came into cultivation. I grew Morgan's Won-
derful, and it crowned the list of tall-growing
Peas, being quite six feet high and well stocked
with pods ; indeed, I never saw more Green
Peas got from the same ground, and therefore
I took pains with this kind, and provided proper
sticks to support the plants up to their full
height.

I must here note that although the early
kinds generally took only 90 dajrs to come into
use, the tall-growing kinds, such as the Wrinkled
Marrow, took 180 days to be fit for use. The
details are of little importance now, as the
subject has been well ventilated, and we see
splendid samples exhibited which show that
the growers thoroughly understand the subject ;
but the time that each kind takes to come to
maturity, as compared with others, does not
appear to enter into their calculations. I
gave details of my experiments in the garden-
ing periodicals of the day, and need not repeat
them here, for ^^ what so tedious as a twice-told
tale?"

The tall-growing kinds of Peas have splendid
tendrils suitable to their exalted state, and
these tendrils, blind though they be, have
something very like intelligence, for we see
them laying about for something to take hold
of, and when they have found it, they will draw

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Stones Api)le.

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1878.]

PETUNU8 FOB DECOBATION. — STONB'S APPLB.

themsdlves up by it Bailor-fashion, sure-footed,
tightening the tie by coiling the wiry tendril
like a corkscrew, and as the circumference is
equal to three times the length of the diameter,
it has the power to shorten the tendril by coil-
ing until it gets a tight hold of the stick. Any
rough prop will support a wire, like a common
clothes-line, and on this wire short pea-sticks
may be hung, heads downward, and on each
side a third row may be set, heads upward ;
this will give scope for the tallest Peas to run,
and when the season is oyer, it will be seen that
every twig has been tied by the tendrils into a
compact bundle. With a stem so slender and
a head so heavy, the Pea-plant is a marvel of
skilful work, and presupposes some kindly
bush or thicket to lean upon.

There is little more now to hope for in
the way of new varieties of Peas, and it
would look like an advertisement were I to
name the sorts whose merits are chronicled in
the various seed-lists. If we are to have green
Peas in winter, we may as well grow our own,
as buy poor sorts from our southern neighbours.
I need cot say that a sure sale would be sectired
by bringing a good article into the market, so
that duck and green peas need not any longer
be " given by way of dainty, but every day."
— Alex. Fobbyth, Salford.

PETUNIAS FOR DECORATION.

3B the decoration of the greenhouse
and conservatory, there are few plants
more useful than Petunias. They have
many good properties to recommend them, for
they are brilliant in colour, excellent in habit,
and flower most profusely ; they are also easily
grown, and not seriously troubled with insects.
They have been wonderfully improved of late
years, and many of the varieties, both single
and double, are exceedingly beautiful. For
flowering in spring, the plants should be struck
in August. When the cuttings are rooted,
they should be potted off and grown on in a
pit or frame until the end of September, when
they should be removed to a shelf in a light
airy part of the greenhouse, but previous to
being placed on the shelf in the greenhouse
they should be shifted into their flowering pots.
They should be kept moving very gently during
th^ autumn and winter months. They will
not, in the latter season, do in a low tem-

perature and moist atmosphere, as they are
apt to damp-off. They will come into flower in
spring without any forcing, and will continue a
long time in great beauty. Their freedom from
insects is a great point in their favour, as the
time taken up and expense incurred in fumi-
gating and cleansing other soft-wooded plants,
are very considerable.

Plants for summer and autumn decoration
should be struck in spring, and grown on in
pits or frames. They can also be raised from
seeds. Some seed sown in March or April will
furnish plants for summer and autumn ; and
seed sown in June will furnish plants for
spring flowering, if they are kept in small pots
during the summer. — M. Saul, Stourton.

STONE'S APPLE.

[Plate 467.]
)HIS excellent and showy culinary Apple
is much cultivated in some parts of
Kent for market purposes; being not
only of free-bearing habit, but also having all
the properties of a first-class cooking fruit.
The variety appears to have originated on a
farm at Loddington, near Maidstone, formerly
occupied by Mr. Stone, the original tree still
existing there, and hence it was called Stonb's
Apple. Trees have been sold by the Messrs.
Bunyard and Sons, of Maidstone, under the
name of Stone's Apple, or Mapson's Seedling ;
and the variety is described in their catalogue,
as being '^ very large and handsome, a sturdy
grower, much grown at Linton for market, a
good bearer." It has subsequently been de-
scribed in the Journal of Hortiailture and the
Oardeiiera* Year-Book^ 1878, under the name
of Loddington Seedling.

For the opportunity of figuring this excellent
culinary apple, we are indebted to Mr. Lewis
A. Killiok, of Langley, near Maidstone, who
was good enough to send us the characteristic
examples from which our illustration has been
prepared by Mr. Macfarlane. Some fine
examples also from Mr. Eillick were exhibited
on October 2nd, at a meeting of the Boyal
Horticultural Society, when it was awarded a
well-deserved First-class Certificate. The tree is
no doubt of most prolific habit, and the sort de-
serves to be widely cultivated. We learn from
Mr. Eillick that the season for use is from
August to November. In the specimens we

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THE FLOBIST AND P0M0L00I8T*

[Mat,

had the opporbinity io examine, the fniit was
large, 3 in. to 4 in. in diameter, somewhat de-
pressed, or in other examples narrowing
abruptly at the apex, the surface forming
slight blunt ridges, which become more distinct
around the crown, where they are generally
well marked. Skin smooth shining green
with a brownish cheek, but turning at full
maturity to a pale straw-yellow, wiUi a pale
crimson flush on the cheek, and also marked
with a few broken streaks of darker crimson,
the whole surface being thinly strewed with
minute russet points. Eye downy, doeed,
with convergent leafy segments, set in a deep
prominently but unequally-ribbed basin. Stalk
^ in. to I in. long, comparatively slender, in-
serted in a broad deep funnel-shaped cavity,
which is lined with pale tawny-russet, extend-
ing in broken feathery points over the base of
the fruit. Flesh white, solid, tender, and with
an agreeably sub-acid flavour. The foliage is
bold, roundish, and coarsely toothed ; and the
shoots are vigorous, deep brownish-purple.
Like Lane's Prince Albert, this apfde is re-
markable for coming early into bearing, and
hence is one which may be planted with a view
to profit. Its free-bearing habit tends to keep its
growth within moderate bounds, so that it forms
a compact and medium-sized tree. — ^T. Moobe.

HOW TO GROW AND EXHIBIT

PANSIES.
CTp FULLY expected when at the National
%^ Oamation and PicoteeSociet/s Exhibition
^^^ at the Boyal Aquarium, Westminster, last
year, to see Pansies far superior to anything we
are able to produce at our Northern Shows ; but
I was much disappointed. In addition to the
flowers being of inferior character, they were
soiled, and badly set up. Having been a grower
and exhibitor for many years, I propose to de-
scribe my plan of growing and exhibiting these
beautiful spring, summer, and autumn flowers.
The soil I find most suitable is a moder-
ately strong loam, deeply trenched, and well
mixed with rotten dung — that from an old
hot-bed, I have found most suitable. If
the ground is new, it is best to grow on
it a crop of either Potatos or Carrots the
year before the Pansies are planted, otherwise
it is not at all improbable that the wire-worm
and other insect pests may prove troublesome.
If it should be an old garden, the trenching
and manuring of the soil should be done in the
autumn before planting, trenching deep, and
mixing at the same time with the manure a
sprinkUng of lime, to sweeten the mass. The

surface should be left during the winter as rough
as possible, that the component parts may be
acted upon by the weather. About the middle
of March, if moderately dry, the ground is
forked over, making the surface as fine as
possible, and the plants are put in as soon as
the ground is fit. I always pluit deeply, strip-
ping off a few of the lower leaves, and in
cases where the plants are of long straggling
growth, either peg them down, or else tie them
to short stakes. After this they will require
but little attention for a time, excepting it be
to look out for, and protect them againat,
slugs, which are generally very troublesome,
so that it is not an uncommon thing to find
several plants eaten off in a single night.

The distance at which to plant depends
greatly on the mode of growth. For my own
part, I have had as fine flowers from plants
6 in. apart as when the distance has been 1 ft
each way ; but of course, they were pinched
and cut in, and kept close. In my ground, I
find the best distance to be 1 ft. from row
to row, and 9 in. from plant to plant.
The plants are, of course, propagated in
sufficient numbers under glass, the cuttings
I being either inserted in pots, close round
the edge, or in beds, which will contain more,
for the spring planting. It is well also to
plant at the same time seedlings which have
been sown in the autunm in boxes. These
yield a fine display of flowers after the named
sorts begin to get small, and lose their belting.
Seed may also be sown in April in the open
border, with the moderate certainty of having
a good show of flowers.

It is necessary during the summer months to
arrange some kind of shading to keep the
plants from being burnt, or scalded, which
frequently happens during hot weather. The
best plan I know is to plant at about 2 ft. from
the edge of the pansy-bed on the south side,
a row of Hollyhocks and Dahlias, placed
alternately ; these give sufficient shade, while
the plants are not drawn, but continue to
bloom flnely all the season.

Should the season prove wet, it will be
necessary to cover the flowers, if intended for
exhibition, as nothing spoils the blooms more
quickly than wet. My plan is to procure
some sticks from ^ in. to ^ in. in diameter, and
about 1 ft. long ; near the top of these I make

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W9.]

ANTHUBIUM BBGALS,

a saw-out, doping upwards ; and in this I fix a
6-in. square pane of glass, letting it hang over
tiie flowers. By this means I have generally
been able to out dean flowers, when other-
wise they would have been unfit for exhibition.
I have observed that this mode of shading
hastens the development of the flowers, which
in dull wet weather is frequently a necessity.
All other plans of shading I have tried have a
tendency to draw the plants, but this never
does so, and I have frequently seen a cover
remain over a plant for two or three weeks
without the plant being drawn in the least.

In dull, moist seasons there is not much
difficulty in growing the Pansy, as the only
enemies the grower then has to contend with are
the caterpillar and the slug, which can easily
be destroyed. In hot, dry summers, particularly
in warm districts, the difficulties are greatly
increased. Then heavy waterings are necessary,
not sprinklings. I water in the evening heavily
betwixt the rows, and after, say, an interval of
an hour, I go over the plants and give them
another soaking overhead, with the rose on
the water-pot. By this means they are kept
continuously growing.

The most troublesome enemies amongst
them at this time are the aphides — the yellow
and the green — which collect at the end of
the shoots and on the under-side of the leaves,
and which, if not promptly attended to, will
soon kill the plants. The plan I adopt is to
mix 2 oz. of Gishurst compound to the gallon
of soft water. I work it well up with the
syringe before using till it becomes a perfect
lather, with which I smear the plants all over,
till, at a distance, they look like large snow-
balls. I let this lather remain on them for an
hour or two, when I syringe it off with water.
This is always done in the evening, after the
sun has gone off the beds. I have tried soft-
soap in solution, and find it answer just as well,
only that it is impossible to get samples of it
of equal strength. I have tried quassia chips,
but prefer the Gishurst compound.

Should the plants get leggy during the sum-
mer, it is a good plan to go over and peg them
down, giving a top-dressing composed of rotten
dung, leaf-mould, and good soil.

In growing for exhibition, it is necessary to
keep the plants from seeding, otherwise the
flowers will become small and deficient of
colour. It is good practice to strip all the
flowers off a week or a fortnight before an
exhibition, thinning them as they come for-
wards afterwards. The best liquid manure for

them I find to be the urine from a cow-house,
of which I use about one pint to the gallon of
water, applying it betwixt the rows.

Many varieties of the Pansy carry abloom on
the flower ; it therefore behoves the exhibitor
to be very careful not to rub it off, which is
certain to be done if the flowers are packed
betwixt vine-leaves, as I saw them at the
Aquarium. The result was that they were so
soUed and crushed, that they were unfit for the
exhibition-table. The plan I have adopted,
after long experience, is to tie not more than
six flowers, oftener four, in a bunch, and
to place the stalks in a dahlia-tube in the
exhibition-box, and I have never had them
soiled or spoiled. Should the weather be very
wet and the flowers damp, it is a good plan to
cat them over-night, placing them separately,
the stalks in water, in a dry room, and in the
morning the flowers will generally be found
perfectly dry. It is not a great work to set the
flowers up on arriving at Uie place of exhibi-
tion, if all is ready for the purpose. If the
flowers are good, ten minutes should be ample
time for, say, a stand of twenty-four. I always
like to exhibit the flowers on white paper*
collars, as a white margin surrounding the
flowers, in my opinion, renders the colours
more striking. The stands I use for twelves
consist of tliree fours of the following
dimensions : — ^From centre to centre, 3 in. ;
from centre to outside, l}in. ; outside length,
12^ in. ; width, 9^ m. ; depth, 4 in. — G. Budd,
Undercliffe^ Bradford.

ANTHURIUM REGALE.

)HIS fine foliaged plant is not very
frequently met with, but for the
size and beauty of its leaves its
merits are far above some foliage plants
which are more generally sought after. The
fine velvety texture of the leaves, and the size
of them combined, give it a truly regal appear-
ance. I have measured leaves 26 in. in length
and 14 in. in breadth. And, moreover, it is of
easy culture. A young plant from the nursery
should have a liberal shift, say, from a 4-in. to
an 8-in. pot, using a mixture of fibry peat, with
chopped sphagnum, and a liberal quantity
of pieces of charcoal ; to this add sharp silver-
sand, in sufficient quantity to keep the mixture
sweet and porous. The drainage should be
one-third of the depth of the pot used to shift
the plant. In repotting, break the pot from
which the plant is taken ; any portion to which
the roots may adhere should not be removed,
as the roots, being large and of a fleshy nature,
would be injured thereby. In potting, keep

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THE FLOBIBT AND POMOIiOGIBT.

[MAT.

the plant well-elevated, and press the compost
in moderately firm. An ordinary stove tem-
perature suits this Anthurium well, but it
should be kept as far from the ventilators as
can be done conveniently, in order to prevent

cold air from falling inmiediately over it, as
this tends to brown and otherwise disfigure
the rich velvety surface of the handsome foliage
of the plant. — Henbt Ohilman, Somarley
Gardens.

IXORA DUFFH.

S)HE Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea,
by whom this novelty has been intro-
duced, describe it as a very fine species,
with large leaves upwards of a foot in length,
and brilliantly coloured flowers. It was dis-
covered and introduced to the Sydney Botanic
Garden by Mr. Duff, one of the staff attached
to that garden, and was sent to this country
by the director of the Sydney Garden, Charles
Moore, Esq.

The flowers more nearly resemble those of

7. salicifoUa than those of any other known
species. They grow in large globular cymose
heads, six inches or more in diameter, and are
of the richest vermilion-red, shaded with
crimson. The tube of the corolla is slender,
and as flnely coloured as the limb, the lobes of
which are ellipsoid and slightly reflexed.

It is reported to be a native of Ualan or
Strong Island, one of the Caroline group in the
Pacific Ocean, and is a beautiful plant, one of
the most distinct of its tribe. — ^T. Moobe.

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1878.]

THE NATIONAL (SOUTHBBN) AUBICULA SHOW.

THE NATIONAL AURICULA SHOW-

SOUTHERN SECTION.

»)HE National Anncdla Show of the

South was held on April 25, at the

Crystal Palace, Sydenham. The Show

was on a more extensive scale than last year,

and gaye evidence of an increasing taste in

the cultivation of these qaaint-lookiDg, but

engaging flowers. This extending popularity

may no doubt be in some degree ascribed to

the energetic action in support of the infant

Society, on the part of its most indefatigable

honorary secretary, Mr. Dodwell, and also to

the admirable papers of Mr. Homer, published '

in the Flobist and elsewhere ; for the Auricula

is one of those flowers which only requires to

have attention directed towards them, to win

golden opinions from all persons of highly

cultivated taste.

The prize schedule embraced nine classes

for the Auricula proper, that is, the show series

of selfs, grays, greens, and whites, and three

classes for the Alpine Auriculas, which are fast

winning a position in the florist's estimation ;

three classes being added for Polyanthuses,

which, blooming as they do at the same time,

were fittingly associated with the Auricula, and

afforded increased variety. The bloom was very

vigorous, and the show very attractive from its

general point of view. This result must be

very gratifying to those who have laboured to

establish Auricula shows in the metropolis.

CZoM A. 12 AuBicuLAs. — ifit prize to the Eev.
F. D. Homer, Kirkby Malzeard, Bipon, for Lanca-
shire Hero (Lancashire), Champion (Page), Freedom
(Booth), Frank Simonite (Simonite), Prince of
Greens (Trail), Smiling Beauty (Heap), Lord of Lome
(Campbell), John Simonite (Walker), Col. Taylor
(Leigh), George Lightbody (Headly), Sapphire (F. D.
Homer), a lovely pnrple plam-coloored self seedling,
and Anne Smith (Smith) ; 2nd, Mr. Jas. Douglas,
gardener to F. Whitboum, Esq., Loxf ord Hall, Ilf ord,
for True Briton (Hepworth), Charles J. Peiry
(Tnmer), Col. Champneys (Turner), Admiral Napier
(Campbell), Lord Clyde (Lightbody), Alexander
Heiklejohii (Kay), Master Hole (Turner), Smiling
Beauty (Heap), Col. Taylor (Leigh), Qearge Light-
body (Headly), Apollo (Beeston), and a fine white-
edged seedling ; 3rd, Mr. Ben. Simonite, Rough Bank,
Sheffield, for Lancashire Hero, Beauty (Trail), Con-
qneror of Europe (Waterhouse), Buby (Read), Duke
of Ai^ll (Campbell), Complete (Sykes), Samuel
Barlow, John Simonite, Frank Simonite, Lord of
Lome, and a very dark richly-coloured seedling self;
4th,Mr.Tumer, Slough, with Arabella (Headly), Mrs.*^
Sturrock (Martin), Robt. Trail (Lightbody), Charles
J. Perry (Turner), Highland Queen (Horsefield),
Colonel Champneys, Rey. F. D. Homer (Turner),
Ensign (Tumer), Eliza (Sims), John Waterston
(Cunningham), Sarah (Tnmer), and Lancashire
Hero.

Class B. C Auriculas. — Ist prize to the Rev.
F. D. Homer for Lord of Lome, Prince of GreeuB,
Lancashire Hero, Smiling Beauty, George Light-
body, and Freedom ; 2nd, Mr. B. Simonite for LoTcIy
Ann (Olirer), Cteorge Lightbody, Talisman, Frank
Simonite, and two seedling selfs ; drd, Mr. James
Douglas, for Admiral Napier, Alexander Meiklejohn,
Colonel Champneys, Lord Clyde, and Tme Briton ;
4th, Mr. Tumer for Colonel Champneys, Charles
J. Perry, John Waterston, Alderman C. E. Brown
(Headly), Omega (Turner), and Mrs. Sturrock;
5th, Samuel Barlow, Esq., Stakehill House, Chad-
derton, Manchester, for Mrs. Smith (Smith),
Imperator (Litton), Colonel Taylor, Pizarro (Camp-
bell), Lord of Lome, and Ne^ Plus Ultra.

Class C. 4 Auriculas. — Ist prize to the Rev.
F. D. Homer for Ellen Lancaster (Pohlmaa),
Freedom, Lancashire Hero, and Smiling Beauty;
2nd, Mr. James Douglas for Alexander Meiklejohn,
Charles J. Perry, Lord Palmerston (Campbell), and
Smiling Beauty ; 3rd, Rey. B. H. Margetts, Lilling.
ton, Uppingham, for Mrs. Smith, Alderman C. £.
Brown, Catharina (Summerscales), and Imperator ;
4th, Mr. Ben. Simonite for Samuel Barlow, Frank
Simonite, Anne Smith, and a seedling ; 5tb, S. Bar-
low, Esq., for Lord of Lome, Trail's Beauty, Lovely
Ann, and Maria (Chapman) ; 6th, Mr. Turner for
Bright Venus (Lee), Charles J. Perry, Tme Briton,
and Colonel Champneys.

Class D. 2 AuBicuLAs. — 1st prize to the Rev. F.
D. Homer for Lancashire Hero and Qecfrge Light-
body ; 2nd, S. Barlow, Esq., for the same varieties ;
Srd, Mr. Ben. Simonite for the same ; 4th, the Rev.
B. H. Margetts for Lovely Ann and George Light-
body ; 5th, J. T. D. Llewelwyn, Esq., Ynisygerwn,
Neath, for two seedlings.

Class E. 1 Green-edoso Aubicula. — Ist prize
to the Rev. F. D. Homer for Colonel Taylor;
2nd, Mr. B. Simonite for Apollo ; drd, Mr. James
Douglas for Lancashire Hero ; 4th, the Rev. F. D.
Homer for Booth's Freedom ; 6th, Mr. Douglas for
Beeston's Apollo ; 6th, Rev. F. D. Homer for Colonel
Taylor; 7th, Rev. F. D. Homer for Booth's Free-
dom ; 8th, Mr. James Douglas for Lord Palmerston
(Campbell).

Class F. 1 Grey-Edged Auricula. — 1st prise to
Rev. F. D. Homer for Alderman Charles B. Brown ;
and 2nd and Srd, for George Lightbody and Lan-
cashire Hero ; 4th, Mr. Douglas for Alexander .
Meiklejohn (Kay) ; 6th, Rev. F. D. Homer for
Complete (Sykes) ; and 6th, for (George Lightbody ;
7th, Mr. Tumer for George Lightbody; and 8tb,
the Rev. F. D. Homer for the same variety.

Class G. 1 White-Edoed Auricula. — 1st prize
to Rev. F. D. Homer for Catharina ; 2nd, for John
Simonite; and Srd, for Smiling Beauty; 4th and
5tb, Mr. Douglas for Catharina (Summerscales) ;
6th, the Rev. F. D. Homer for Anne Smith ; and
7th, for Miss Arkley (McDonald) ; 8th, Mr. Douglas
for the same variety.

Class H. 1 Self Auricula. — 1st prize to Rev. F.
D. Homer, for Pizarro (Campbell) ; 2nd, for Meteor
Flag (Lightbody); 3rd, for Ruby; 4th, Mr. James
Douglas, for Eliza (Sims) ; 6th and 6th, the Rev. F.
D. Homer for Meteor Flag ; 7th, S. Barlow, Esq.,
for the same variety, and the same exhibitor 8th, for
a violet-purple seedling.

Class I. 60 Auriculas, including Alpines. — The
three prizes offered in this class were won by Mr.
James Douglas, Mr. Tumer, and J. T. D. Llewelyn,
Esq., in the order named : — Mr. Douglas had fine
examples of Maria (Chapman), Vulcan (Sims),

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THE fLOBIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[Mat.

Lancashire Hero (Lancashire), Apollo (Hudson),

Ljcoigns (Smith), Complete (Sykes), Master Hole

• (Turner), Lovely Ann (OliverX Charles J. Perry

(Turner), Alderman Wisbey (Headly), Robert Trail

fLightbody), Sophia Dumaresqne(Lightbody), Topsy
Kay), Beauty (Trail), Complete (Sykes), Lord
of Lome (Campbell), Colonel Champnoys (Turner),
Lord Clyde (Lightbody), Admiral Napier (Camp*
bell). Metropolitan (Spalding), General Neill (Trail),
True Briton (Hepworth), Lady Richardson (Gaim),
Ellen Lancaster (Fohlman), Mrs. Smith (Smith),
John Waterston (Cunningham), Britannia (Smith;,
Meteor Flag (Lightbody), Mrs. Campbell (Cunning-
ham), Confidence (Campbell), and one or two good
seedlings.

Claaa K. 12 Alpine Auriculas. — 1st prize to Mr.
Turner, for Mr. Dodwell, John Ball, Unique,
Napoleon III., Slough Rival, Mrs. Thomson, Queen
Victoria, Bfiss Frowd, Beatrice, King of the
Belgians, Selina, and Dolly Yarden, all of his own
raising; 2nd, Mr. James Douglas, for Spangle
(Turner), Biiss Reid, Prince (Douglas), Florence
(Douglas), Beatrice, Minnie (Turner), Queen

! Douglas), Bronze Queen (Turner), Selina, Neatness
Gorton)^ Diadem (Gorton), and a seedling; 3rd,
Samuel Barlow, Esq., for Edgar (Turner),
Nimrod (Turner), Conspicua, Elcho (Turner), Etna
(Turner), Dazzle, Bronze Queen, Mercury (Turner),
Tenniel, Diadem, and Mauve Queen ; 4th, J. T. D.
Llewelyn, Esq., for Nimrod (Turner), Tenniel
(Turner), Cupid (Turner), Spangle (Turner), Dolly
Varden (Turner), Topaz (Turner), Selina, King of
the Belgians (Turner), a fine dark seedling named
Gwendoline, and three other unnamed seedlings.

Class L. 6 Alpine Auriculas. — 1st prize to Mr.
Turner, for Troubadour (Turner), Sensation

! Turner), Queen Victoria (Turner), Mercury
Turner), King of the Belgians, and Slough
Rival; 2nd, Mr. James Douglas, for Bronze
Queen, Beatrice, Neatness, Dolly Varden, Silvia
(Douglas), and a seedling ; Srd, S. Barlow, Esq.,
for Ovid, Beatrice, Conspicua, Mercury, Diadem,
Brilliant ; 4th, Mr. B. Dean, for Mercury,
Diadem, Shaded Mercury, Elcho, Bronze Queen,
and Dolly Varden; 6th, J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq., for
Diamond, Gwendoline, King of Crimsons, Sydney,
and two seedlings.

Class M. 1 Alpine Auricula. — Ist prize to
Mr. Turner, for Miss Taplin ; 2nd, Mr. Turner, for
Mariner ; Srd, Mr. R. Dean, for Captivation ; 4th,
Mr. James Douglas, for Alexander Meiklejohn;
5th, Mr. Turner, for King of the Belgians ; 6th, Mr.
Turner, for Unique.

The premier Auricula selected from amongst
the whole of the plants shown was George Light-
body, a beautiful truss of nine pips, shown by the
Rev. F. D. Homer.

Class N. 6 Polyanthuses.— Ist prize to Mr. R.
Dean, Ealing, for six Gh^d^laced varieties, Exile,
Lancer, Formosa, George IV., Earl of Lincoln, and
President; 2nd, S. Barlow, Esq., for Cheshire
Favourite, Exile, George IV., President, Lancer,
and a seedling ; 3rd, Mr. John Beswick, Middleton ;
and 4th, Mr. James Douglas, in whose collections
the same varieties were represented.

Class O. 2 Polyanthuses. — Ist prize to Mr. J.
Beswick, for Cheshire Favourite and Exile; 2nd,
S. Barlow, Esq., for Cheshire Favourite and
President; Srd, Mr. W. Brownhill, Sale, for
Cheshire Favourite and Exile; and 4th, Mr. R.
Dean, for Cheshire Favourite and Cox's Regent.

Class P. 1 Polyanthus. — Mr. Brownhill was Ist,
2ud, and 5th ; S. Barlow, Esq., 3rd and 4th, and Mr.
Beswick 6th, all showing Cheshire Favourite.

Certificates were awarded to Mr. Douglas, of
Loxford Hall, for a remarkably fine grey-edged

seedling, the result of a cross between George Light-
body and Robert Trail ; and for alpine varieties named
Mrs. Meiklejohn, Queen, and BarioVs Annie; to
Mr. Turner, for white-edged Auricula Omega, and
for alpines, National and Mariner; to Mr. R. Dean,
for Polyanthus Sovereign, a fine golden sdf fancy ;
and Polyanthus Lustrous, a striking flower, deep
maroon in colour, with a rich golden centre ; to Mr.
T. S. Ware, Tottenham, for a good deep yellow
Polyanthus Golden Eagle ; and to Mr. H. Hooper,
for Pansy Fred, Perkins.

VILLA GARDENING FOR MAY.

OppF March snsiained to a great extent its
^1^ traditional cliaracter for blaster and
oUd rough winds, April has also vindicated
its claim to be regarded as the month for
showers, for we have had a snccession of in«
yigorating rainfalls that have done much good
service to garden crops. Happily there is
reason to believe that the snow and frosts
which ushered in the month of April have not
proved so destructive to fruit crops as was feared
in the first instance.

Qbeenhousb. — ^Plenty of plants are now
available for the decoration of the greenhouse.
Zonal Pelargoniums^ late-planted PolyanUita^
Narcissus^ Cineratnas; Dielytra spectabilts^ a
capital plant for the Villa Gardener's green-
house, because it is a clean plant, not becoming
infested with green-fly ; Deuizia gracilis^ Hoteia
japomcaj have been gay for a few weeks past,
and are holding on yet, and being succeeded
by Fuclisias^ from cut-down plants of last yeai' ;
Azaleas^ Ftimula cortusoides amcsna^ and its
vaiieties; large-flowered and fancy Peiargo-
niwns^ Lotxl Lyons^ Forcing Pinks^ &c, are
already in bloom, or coming on to supply the
places of those which are fading. In Uie fore-
gomg list will be found the names of things
that can be managed with comparative ease by
a Villa Gtmlener who has limited accommoda-
tion. They are satisfying plants also — ^they
give good heads of bloom, and are therefore
just the things requisite for the amateur's
greenhouse. In the cose of a greenhouse ex-
posed to the sun, attention must be given to
watering, as plants that have filled their pots
with roots soon become dry when the heat
of the sun is at all fierce. Wmdi soon dries
the soil in pots also, and if the leaves flag for
a brief period, they wither, and spoil the
appearance of the plants. A gentle syringing
in the morning, and again in the evening when
the sun is declining, will be found very bene-
ficial ; also it is a good plan to keep the floor
of the house cool and moist by means of re-
peated sprinklings. €hreen-fly must be well
looked after; they increase rapidly during
warm weather.

The class of plants generally recommended

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1878.]

VHiLA GABDENINa — MAY.

for a cold greenhouse indades all we have
preyionsly named. Choice hardy plants coming
into flower, such as might have found a place
in the cold greenhouse a month or two ago,
will now be best in the cold frame, as they can
be more readily shaded ; and as the season is
rapidly coming on when some shading is re-
quisite for the greenhouse, we think there is no
better means of securing this than a roller-
blind formed of what is known as bag-canvas
— a material employed for making seedsmen's
bags. When it is inconvenient to fix a roller-
blind, the new composition, " Summer-cloud,"
may be used to paint the exterior of the roof
with ; it is of a pale green colour, but rather
expensive to use. Then a little Brunswick-
green, mixed with a weak solution of glue or
milk, is a cheap and serviceable composition,
darker in hue than the " Summer-cloud," but
scarcely any the worse in consequence. These
are preferable to the coating of whitewash some-
times applied.

PiiOWBB Gabden. — ^It has been written of
the month of May that it is so profuse in
exuberant growth of leaf and flower, that, —

" All living things on earth, in air, or stream,
Wake to a life of beauty bright as angels' dream."

The Flower Garden bursts forth into a grand
diapason of form and hue, the unutterable
harmony of which flashes forth a glory answer-
ing to that of the skies above. Now comes the
time of preparation for bedding-out. All bed-
ding plants of a tender character should be
hardened off as early in this month as possible.
Such as were placed in cold frames in March
or the begbning of April, and are now growing
fast, need to be removed to the shelter of a
wall or hedge, and protected at night till suffi-
ciently inured to exposure. Their places in the
cold frame should be taken by the tenderer
stuff, which it is not safe to expose in the open
air till aU danger from frost is past. The beds
and borders, too, should be got ready for
planting-out, and by the middle of the month,
CcUceolariaa^ Pelargoniums^ Petunias^ Verbenas^
Antiri'hinuim^ and such-like may be planted
out. If a plan for filling the beds and borders
be drawn out, the tender subjects can be put
in at the very last. If the beds are in a grass-
plat, the grass should be mown before plimting
takes place, and be swept and well swept and
rolled after this is fimshed. Plant out in
showery weather, if advantage can be taken of
its happening, and let the roots of all the
plants be well moist when the work is done.
AsterSy Zinnias^ Stocks^ Phlox Drummoiidii^
and Mangolds can go out in well-prepared
ground, or should be put in some good rich
soil at the time of planting. Hardy
annuals should be sown without delay, and
growing climbers kept trained. The spring-
flowering Clematises are now showing their

buds, and the growing wood should not be
suffered to hide them. Now is the time to
plant out beds of Neapolitan^ Double Blue and
Double White^ Etcssian^ and Queen Victoria
Violets. Every one loves a bunch of violets in
spring, and beds of plants put out now will
produce an abundance of flowers at that time
of year.

Cold Fbames. — ^Many early-flowering things
that have gone out of bloom, such as Hfjacinths^
Scillasy Crocus^ Tnteleia^Primroses^ Polyanthus^
&c., may find temporary lodgment, at least in
the cold frame, or failing a cold frame, they
may be stood on a cinder-ash bottom, under
a hedge or wall in the shade. Auriculas
sown last autumn, also Polyanthuses and
Primroses sown at the same time, can be
pricked off into pots or pans, and placed in
the frame. Delphiniums^ Aquilegias^ Pent-
stemonsy Salvia patens^ AtUirrhinumSj Pyre-
thrums^ &c., raised from seeds sown this spring,
may be similarly treated, as the cold frame is
an excellent place in which to grow these on
into size. All newly pricked-off things of this
character will need to be syringed frequently
in dry weather, to keep them growing.

Kitchen Garden. — Cauliflowers Kadi Lettuce
should be planted out for succession on rich
ground ; if done in cool weather, and when the
soil is moist, a good start is soon effected. By
the end of May, Vegetable Man^ows and Ridge
Cuctanhers may also be planted. It is a good
practice, where it can be done, to gather to-
gether the vegetable refuse, leaves, ^, which
are inseparable from a garden, and place them
together in a heap, doing this in the autumn,
and adding any refuse soil, manure, &c. This
heap comes in very useful for planting-out
Marrows and Cucumbei's on, and by the end of
the summer it is well rotted, and comes in very
useful for mixing with potting-soil, top-dresi^g
beds, &c. The hoe should now be brought into
requisition, for loosening the soil between rows
of Peasy BeanSy young Cabbages^ &c. Totnatos
may be planted out against a south wall, when
the weather promises to become settled, warm,
and fine. Early in the month. Scarlet
Runner and Dwarf French Beans should,
be sown for succession, and such late Peas
as Veitch*s Perfection and Omega. Spinach
should be thinned-out, leaving the plants a fair
distance apart. Sow Turnip Radishes and Snow*
ball Turnips for succession. Some villa gar-
deners sow the whole of their Radishes and
Turnip Radishes at once, which results in a
glut and wasted crops. It is better to sow
successionally. Weed and thin-out beds of
Carrots^ Onions^ &c. Earth-up and stake Piww
as required, and as the Early Potatos come
through the ground, hoe careftdly about them,
and draw some soil up to them, as a protection
against danger from frost. This is a most

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THE FLOBIST AND P0X0L00I8T.

[May,

aciiye time in the kitchen garden, and a well-
ordered garden bears testimony to a pains-
taking gurdener. — Sububbanus.

GARDEN GOSSIP-

the BfEExmo of ths Botal Hobti-
CULTUBAL Society on April 2, com-
paratively few subjects were shown, in

consequence, probably, of the Ghent show being
open. The most striking among the First-class
certificated plants were Amdryllis Crimson Banner,
from Mr. H. Little, of Hillingdon, a fine crimson in
the way of Akermanni pnloherrima^ — a rariety
which, by-the-by, made its mark long ago, and is
often qaoted from recollection as being superior to
modem novelties, a position which an actual com-
parison does not always snstain. Primrose Prince
Charming, from Mr. B. Dean, Ealing. A Botanical
Ck>mtnendiition was given for Ma^vallia radiosa,
a curious species. Messrs. Veitch and Sons showed
a fine collection of Orchids; and Mr. Lovesley,
Spring Grove Lodge, Isleworth, was awarded a
medal for a new dwarf compact strain of decorative
Cinerarias. On April 16 one of the best displays of
the season took place. First-class Certificates were
awarded for Ccdtha palustrie fl, pi, minor, a very
double form of Marsh Marigold ; and to Saxifraga
purpurascens, a deep red, broad-leaved species, of
showy character, both from Mr. Parker, of Tooting.
Orevillea rohusta JUicifolia, from Messrs. Rollisson
and Sons, of Tooting, a greenhouse shrub, with re-
markably elegant foliage. Crinum purpurascene,
from Messrs. Veitch and Sons, a dwarf species, from
Fernando Po, with undulate leaves and narrow-
I>etaled flowers. Adiantum tetraphyllum gracile,
an elegant stove bipinnate fern, the young fronds
of which are beautifully tinted with crimson;
DavdUia jijiensis, one of the most charming of the
larger species of hare's-footfem, the fronds beingvery
finely cut ; and Lastrea arietata variegata, a hardy
evergreen fern from Japan, remarkable for its
variegation, which consists of a yellowish-green
band down the centre of the pinnss, all from Mr.
Bull, of Chelsea. Amaryllis E, Pilgrim, ftom Mr.
B. S. Williams, of Holloway, a bright scarlet, with
white striped-petals. Walliehia zehrina, also from
Mr. Williams, a beautiful palm, with a mottled
stem. Mr. Barr exhibited a very fine collection of
cut blooms of Narcissi ; and many beautiful mis-
cellaneous collections were staged. We may add
that No. 4 of Vol. v. of the Society's Journal has
recently been published, and shows, in its marked
improvement on the recent issues, evidence of the
beneficial supervision of the new Secretary, Mr.
Jennings, by whom it is edited.

— 8R1TH the view to the revival of the taste

for Ahabyllids, which are undoubtedly amongst

the handsomest and grandest of our garden and
hothouse bulbs. Colonel Trevor Clarke has been
inviting exhibitions of them at the Boyal Horticul-
tural Society's meetings, and offers prises of £5, £3,
and £1, to be awarded at the end of the season, to
the most meritorious contributors. The sums
offered, ho observes, are not of an ostentations
character, nor are they meant to be so, because it is
desired that the competition should be considered
less of a flower-show affair than as an appeal to the
scientific instincts of the Fellows and exhibitors.
The conditions imposed are four in number :— (1),
The plants exhibited to be true species, to the best
of the exhibitor's belief ; (2), rare plants may bo

shown in or out of flower; (3), plants exhibited
need not necessarily be the property of the exhibitor ;
(4), cut flowers wiU be received, in cases where the
plant itself will not admit of removal.

— . ^HE proprietor of the Oarden^ Mr.

Bobinson, proposes to give a series of Pbizbs

FOB AsPABAOUS, extending over a period of
seven years, to be given in London, Dublin, and
Edinbiu^h, and in the north and west of England,
in consecutive years. The chief object in instituting
these prizes is to have the mode of culture which is
so successful in the vicinity of Paris thorooghly
tested in all parts of this countiy. While the
French plan is recommended for trial, oomnetiton
ai*e not to be bound by it, but msy adopt whatever
plan they may consider best and most suitable to
their soil and locality.

— SloooBDiNa to Mr. Oilbert, of Btuig^j,

Babb's Obitebion Oabbaqb is a most excellent

early cabbage. Sown on July 17th and planted
out on September 2nd, it produces beautiful little
hearts in abundance by the beginning of March.
Carter^s Heartwell Dwarf Imperial, sown and
planted at the same time, though sturdy plants^
were not fit to cut before the end of April, thus
losing a crop, and that the beet of all kitchen-garden
crops — viz., Myatt's petatos. The ground <m which
the Criterion was grown was dug between the
20th and 25th of March, and was planted eariy in
April with Myatt's Prolific Potato.

— Ht the Pabis Exhibition of 1878,

Messrs. Sutton and Sons' stand will contain

one of the most exhaustive displays of Horti-
cultural and Agricultural Produce ever brought
together. Messrs. Sutton have been actively
engaged for nearly 12 months in preparing their
stand, which is 95 feet in l^igth, is to accommodate
more than two thousand models from nature of the
principal kinds of Agricultural and Hortioultnrsl
plants and roots, in addition to nearly 600 specimens
of Permanent Pasture Grasses, as well as 300
samples of seeds. The display occupies a large
portion of one of the extensive buildings erected at
the special desire of H.B.H. the Piresident, for
illustrations of English Agriculture. In the £zhi«
bition grounds nearly three acres have been sown
with Messrs. Sutton's Grass seeds, which are now
rapidly forming a beautiful sward.

— ^B. PoLLABD, of Excter, is about to

publish a small deniy-8vo volume, 77ie Plant*

Lore a fid Oardefi-Craft of Shakespeare^ by
Rev. Henry N. Ellacombe, M.A., Vicar of Bittoo,
Gloucestershire. In this work every passage is
quoted in which Shakespeare names any tree, ^nt,
flower, or vegetable production. A short account
of each is given, identifying Shakespeare's plants
with their modem representatives, with illustra-
tions from contemporary writers, and notices of
any points of literary, botcmical, and historical
interest connected with the plants named.

— Khb Royal National Tulip Society

will hold its next exhibition in the Manchester

Botanical Gardens, on June 1. The making-up
meeting will be held on May 4, at 3 p.m., at the
Bull's Head Inn, Market Place, Manchester; and
all entries must be sent in on or before May 11.
The Pri^e Schedule has been issued, and may bo
had on application to the Hon. Secretary, S. Barlow,
EtKi-, StakehiU House, Chaddcrton, Manchester.

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" Rosenberg. del. Chromo. Stroobai^i Gherit ^

Zonal Pelargoniums: !

1. Lady Eva CamplDell 2 Dr. Denny.

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1 ■. •.

-ir rMIILO-

.1. • 111 '1

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Hi,., .-r ==>•

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1878.]

THE PHUiOSOPHT op PLOBIBTS* PLOWBES — III.

NEW ZONAL PELARGONIUMS.

[Plate 468.]

Gj^N the accompanying plate we give illustra-
ji j? tions of two of the most adranced Pelar-
^^^ goniums of the Zonal race of which we
have any knowledge.

Fig. 1 represents Lady Eva Campbell,
one of Mr. Pearson's flowers, and a variety of
great beauty, considered by connoisseurs to be
the best in its particular colour yet obtained.
Mr. Oannell describes it as "the deepest of
any in its class ; splendid shaped pip, very
large and grand." It is in all respects a most
charming flower, especially adapted for pot-
culture.

Fig. 2 represents Db. John Denny, a most
distinct and startling novelty, raised by M.
Jean Sisley, of Lyons, who has obligingly sent
us the following particulars of its origin : —

" I am very glad to learn that my Zonal
Pelargonium Dr. John Denny has been judged
worthy of being illustrated in the Flobist,
the more so that I am not over-partial to my
own offspring. Not being a botanist, it is
difficult for me to give you a faithful description
of it. It is, as far as I know, the most purple-
tinted and nearest to blue of any Zonal in
existence. The flowers are large and of good
form, the trusses are rather large, and it appears

to be a free bloomer. Its origin is rathel*
strange. It is a seedling from a double-flowered
Zonal of my seedlings, the flowers of which
are dark red, a dwarf plant, and abundant
bloomer, which I artificially fecundated with
the pollen of Pelargonium peltatum lilacinum,
single, with lilac flowers. It was sown in 1875,
and bloomed in 1876. I was struck with the
colour of it, but at the time did not think
much of it, until Alegatiere, one of our most
intelligent horticulturists, came to see me. I
gave it hun, and he sent a plant of it to Mr.
H. Cannell, who exhibited it last year at a
meeting of the Pelargonium Society, where,
it seems, it was appreciated. Although fecun-
dated by a Peltatum, it has no signs of it, ex-
cept the colour. But I have had many instaiices
of the same. Having fecundated many Pel-
tatums by Zonals, they always resemble the
mother, and generally also the Zonals fecun-
dated by Peltatum ; nevertheless, I have two
Hybrids, partaking of both. I will send one
to the next exhibition of the Pelargonium
Society."

This flower is not only remarkable for the
purplish hue of its petals, but also for the dash
of bright orange-scarlet at the base of the
upper petals. We have to thank Mr. Cannell
for the materials from which both flgures have
been prepared. — ^T. Mooeb.

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF. FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

No. m.

HOPE you are a botanist. I knaw some
eminent florists who are so, and more
than one really good botanist who duly
appreciates floriculture. But as the agricul-
turist is proverbially a despiser of his garden,
because of the larger results he is accustomed
to deal with in his farm, so is it oftentimes
with the botanist, and therefore I must have a
word with him.

" in. His objection is not likely to become
general, because it involves some labour to be
bestowed on the subject, before its force will be
perceived. But yet I have heard it oftener
than might be expected, probably because the
outlines of every science are now so generally
known. It is to the effect that floriculture (I
mean that of fancy flowers) is, as a study, a
descent from nature, and a degradation to it ;
and as an art, is essentially unscientific, and fit
only for children. Our whole system, he says,

No. 6. mPBBUL BBBIBS.— I.

is conversant about varieties^ — things of small
account, in any case ; while such as we covet
ought not to exist at all, departures as they
are, he says, from nature, and interferences
with the habits of the plants.

'^ That these charges should be made in good-
faith by those who only ^ee floriculture from
their supercilious distance is not surprising,
since there is an appearance of truth in them ;
but that they will not stand examination will
be admitted by those who maintain thot there
is a foundation for the preceding remarks.
However, they require, and they deserve, a
more particular notice appropriated to them-
selves.

'^ It is not contended that the labours of the
florist ought to be placed in the same rank
with those of the botanist. We do not pretend
that our pursuit is not of an inferior order to
his ; indeed, it arises out of and is dependent
on it. But we cannot allow that it is either
unnatural or unscientific; nor even that its
own peculiar science, in the smaller area to
which it is confined, is not to the full as perfect

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THB FL0BI8T AND POlfOLOOIST.

IJUHB,

and as pure as that of botany. The compre-
hensive survey of nature is his ; the improve-
ment of a few of the units out of his catalogue
is ours ; and to inquire into the best method of
doing this may be found to demand scientific
knowledge as high as that required for the
more extended field of observation in discrimi-
nating between orders and genera, and the
resemblances and differences of plants.

" Few who had not previously paid attention
to the subject can have read Mr. Story's inter-
esting articles on the hybridisation of the Erica
(Florist, i. 314) without perceiving that, for
the successful pursuit of that practice, more of
knowledge, and thought, and judgment, as well
as of skill and patience, is required than he
expected ; that less is due to chance, and more
to system ; that a collection of facts, and a
comparison of results, are needed ; and arising
out of this, a suitable variation of method
according to circumstances ; in other words,
that it demands a scientific adaptation of means
to produce a desired end. And it will presently
be my business to show that this desired end
itself is equally founded on physical facts, and
reducible to rule; and that the alterations
sought by florists in the petals and habits of
certain flowering plants are no more open to
the objections of the scientific botanist, than
they are to those which have already been
considered.

" Neither is it justly alleged that either the
end or the means used to attain it s^ve unnatural.
We are told, for instance, that the many thou-
sand varieties of our Eoses are, botanically, the
same individual under so many thousands of
fantastic dresses, and none of th«m natural, or
conducive to the welfare of the species, or the
more perfect development of its parts. On the
contrary, that the greater number of them can
never perfect their seeds, owing to the produc-
tion of double flowers by the conversion of
stamens into petals. This might have some
weight, but that it entirely rests on a fallacy,
which it is of some importance to notice. The
Egse was not made for itself j nor is its place in
creation only to produce seeds or to propagate
its kind. It is a misunderstanding of the
goodness of the Creator to overlook the fact
that, like ourselves and every other part of
Qod's works, it was made for others as well as
itself ; and that one part of its design was, to
please the eye of the beholder, as of fruits to
please the palate of the eater. Why, else, the
otherwise useless enlargement of the petals of
many, their elegant forms, their varied and
brilliant colours ? No one can say that any of
these things minister, except in a small and
qnestionable degree, to the welfare of the plant
or of its seeds, any more than the grateful
scent of the Mignonette or of the Violet does
to theirs, or the lusdousness of the drupe of
the apricot or of the peach does to thein.

These additions to the necessary parts of
fructification were for the sole advantage
of others ; those that please the eye or the
smelling seem to have been made for the sole
pleasure of man, and it appears to have been
the purpose of Qod in them to minister to his
gratification alone. And if some species of
flowers are found by experience to be capable
of developing by cultivation greater powers of
pleasing the eye than are possessed by the un-
cultivated natural specimen, there is nothing
unnatural in pushing that development as far
as it will go, and thus bringing forth into light
the extent to which it was meant to fulfil that
particular purpose of its creation.

" That the arts used for this purpose are not
unnatural may be seen in the antdogous instance
of cultivated fruits. The apple, for instance, is
one of those trees * whose seed is in itself.'
Around that seed is a fleshy envelope, pleasant
to the eye, fragrant to the smell, and good for
food ; none of which qualities add to the per-
fection or security of the seed, but are intended
for the use and gratification of men and animals.
But this is not so with all the produce of those
seeds of the tree, or anything like it. Sow the
seeds, and under the most favourable circum-
stances, not above one in five hundred of the
plants that spring from them can be expected
to be worth cultivating for its own fruit. Are
all the rest, then, useless? By no means.
They are for an important purpose, in the
economy of man's sustenance from the fruits
of the field. They undergo (by grafting) an
operation much more startlingly unnatural, at
first view, than is the hybridisation of the
Erica, and the Orabstock is made to sustain the
bearing wood of choicer kinds instead of its
own, —
" Miraturqne novas f rondes, et non sua poma ;*'*

while the plants that spring from the successful
seeds become the parents of new varieties, as
numerous as those of the Ranunculus or the
Pelargonium. This apparently unnatural pro-
cess is both natural and necessary. And as the
time when it was first practised is hidden in
the mists of the remotest antiquity, and as it
was anciently in use among nations uncon-
nected with each other, and as each ascribed
the discovery to its founder or to some god, it
is probable that it was taught of God to our
first father, when the original curse upon the
ground and all its productions, for man's sin,
made labour the condition of his bread.

'^ This is rendered the more probable by the
distinct claim made in Isaiah (xxviii. 23-29),
for the teaching of the art of husbandry to
man by the Creator, — an art which supplies us
with a still stronger instance in point than the
foregoing.

♦ " And wonders at the strange foliage, and fruit
not its own."

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1878.]

A GOSSIP ON TULIP-SHOWING.

" The most useful, or rather necessaiy, of all
yegetable productions to man, the Cerealia
(plants which produce the 'breadstuffs' of
the American Yocabulary), appear to be almost
all of them of the class most abhorrent to the
botanist, — hybrids. At least the native original
of many of them is, I believe, unknown, and of
others would not be recognised except by a
botanist. Cultivation during the course of four
thousand years, and a care bestowed upon
improving the seed, like that which the florist
practises upon the Fuchsia or the Calceolaria,
have made them what they now are. There
can, therefore, be nothing unnatural in the art
which has brought into being, or at least to its
present state of perfection, the staff of human
life.

" And if the end aimed at in improving the
petals of a Dianthus bo of less importance to
the welfare of man than in improving the seed
of a Carex, yet the mode by which it is
effected being the same in both cases, what is
right in the one case cannot be wrong in the
other. K it is not unnatural in the fruit,
neither is it in the flower. That art is in per-
fect analogy with all the other consequences of
our condition as children of Adam, — a con-
dition which requires at our hands a laborious
compulsion of nature to yield up to our im-
portimities the riches it is entrusted with for
our use. — Iota."

they are exhibited in his part of the country,
placing them as indicated below :—

A GOSSIP ON TULIP-SHOWINQ.

I an opening to this Gossip, I will repeat
a question which I put to the Tulip-
growers of England more than 20
years since, which was as follows : — Can any
one give a sound reason why wo do not tolerate
two classes of varieties amongst yellow-ground
Tulips, in like manner as we admit two classes
aniongst the white-ground flowers ? My own
opinion is that there is just as much xoom for
two classes of yellow groimds as there is for
two classes of white grounds. I say, separate
ihered-markedBizarres from those with the dark
marking, just as the varieties of the Bose dass
are separated from those termed Bybloemens.
At the time I first broached this subject, I
had the major part of my Southern friends in
favour of it. During my Tulip bloom last year,
a French gentleman — a florist, whose chief
hobbies are Tulips and Picotees — ^having busi-
ness in Huddersfield, came twice to see my
flowers. The last time he was here I cut six-
teen flowers, which he took away with him ;
but previous to doing so, he made them into a
fourth-row stand, after the style in which

Dk-flamed
Bizarre.

Dk-feath.
Bizarre.

Dk-flamed
Bizarre.

Dk-feath.
Bizarre.

Red-feath.
Bizarre.

Red-flamed
Bizarre.

Red-featb.
Bizarre.

Red-flamed
Bizarre.

Flamed
BybloBmen.

Feathered
Bybloamen.

Flamed
ByblcBmen.

Feathered
Bybloemen.

Feathered
Rose.

Flamed
Rose.

Feathered
Rose.

Flamed
Rose.

I thought they looked very well indeed, I do
not know how far this style of placing the
flowers might suit the taste of our Northern
exhibitors, but one thing I am certain of, that*
by their being arranged after this fashion, they
would be much handier for the judges on the
show-days, and they would be examined in
much less time, which is of importance on our
national show-days, when the judges should
have finished their work previous to the publio
being admitted.

There are a few other little matters in con-
nection with exhibiting Tulips on which I
should like to say a word, not in the least
degree with any desire to dictate, but merely
as affording suggestions which happen to lie
within my own breast. Every individual has
just the same right to his own opinions ; I only
claim to say for myself that in the exhibiting
of Tulips, I think it possible for improve-
ments to be made, and when I have set them
forth, I leave it to others to approve or dis-*
approve of them.

In class-showing, I should say six flowers
would be quite suflBcient to run them to, if they
are to be really good flowers, worthy of being
thus prominently placed.

For pan and stand-showing, I should propose
for the stands containing the largest number
of flowers, sixteen different varieties, four times
four, chosen from the four different classes, vis.,
— feathered and flamed Boses, Bybloemens, Bed
Bizarres, and Dark Bizarres, and for these allow
three prizes ; for stands of twelve flowers,
three prizes ; for stands of nine flowers, three
prizes. For stands of six flowers, and for
stands of flowers below six in number, I should
say let a majority of the exhibitors themselveB
settle how and in what way those stands shall
be arranged, one main consideration being how

a 2

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THB FL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

(Jcsi,

far the funds will hold oat for awarding prizes*
One further suggestion is that, instead of
awarding the main bulk of the money to just
a few of the leading stands, the first prize, for
instance, should be curtailed, so as to bring it
down nearer to the level of those which have
to follow. Honour, if there be any, I should
say, ought to be considered quite as much as
the money value in these cases; while as an
encouragement, a little more money might be
given to after-stands, and in the classes, since by
doing 80 encouragement would be given to the
younger and poorer classes of growers, who have
the fancy at heart equally with their more
fortunate friends. — John Hepwohth, Crosland
Moor^ Buddei'sJUld,

ANTS, SLUaS, AND COCK-
CHAFERS.

\ILD winters like the past bequeath to
us a crowd of insect and other pests,
which are not exactly sources of
happiness to the gardener, rather the contrary.
The ants, so abundant last year, reappear, the
slugs swarm, and for many years there has not
been such an abundance of May-bugs (Chafers).
To drive away the ants, guano or minced
garlic spread on their nests has been spoken
of as efficacious, but guano has not proved in-
fallible, and the garlic and ants sometimes keep
house together. I only know a single sure
means of clearing out these laborious, but
troublesome pests, — ^namely, in the evening,
after they have entered their lodging, or in the
morning before they go out of it, to drive a
pointed stick into the middle of their nest, and
to pour boiling water immediately and re-
peatedly into the hole ; if some escape, repeat
the operation next day. This procedure is not,
indeed, always applicable, as boiling water
would kill both plants and insects with which
it came in contact, but it can generally be put
in practice when the ants' nests are in t^e open
garden.

The measures proposed for the destruction
of slugs, which are amongst the most dreaded
enemies of gardeners, are numerous. I have
lately read that they are fond of beer, and that
if plates filled with beer are set in the garden,
they will be attracted, and drown themselves.
I have not tried this remedy. The use of bran,
of which slugs are very fond, and with which

they are said to choke themselves so as not io
be able to move, has also been recommended ;
but though very gluttonous, are they capable
of thb excess? Others advise making httle
depots of cabbage or lettuce leaves, sheltered
by a board slightly raised from the north side^
under which, at the approach of day, they re*
tire, and may be caught and destroyed. This
may serve those who have little to do, or whose
gardens are small, but will not suit those who
are more closely occupied, or whose gardens are
more extensive. Especially will it fail to get
rid of those multitudes of microscopic and
unseizable slugs which are the most dangerous,
and of which, to clear a garden promptly, some
recently slaked, very caustic lime should be
scattered over the surface in the evening, or
rather, early in the morning, not on a single
border or bed, but over all the ground, includ-
ing paths and alleys. This inexpensive remedy,
repeated two or three times, will in a week
destroy more slugs than will be got rid of in a
year by all other methods put together.

The May-bug or Ciiafer is most hurtful in
the larva state under ground, where, in the
form of a white worm {yer hlanc)^ it carries on
its depredations, gnawing the roots of plants,
the worst of which is that often the damage
is only perceived when it has become irrepor*
able. It is said that the chafer moves but
little from the place where it was hatched, and
that if means were taken to destroy it before
it deposits its eggs, the numbers of the larvae,
and consequently the extent of the ravages,
would be very much diminished. This is too
generally neglected, under the pretext that it
would produce no result, or that it would be
too expensive, which is erroneous. In Algeria,
the grasshoppers, which at certain times abound
and commit great havoc, are collected, lighUy
dried in an oven, completely dried in the sun,
and reduced to powder, in which form they
constitute a very powerful manure, which has
given the best results whereyer it has been em-
ployed. The chafer so treated would constitute
an equally powerful manure, which would
amply pay the expenses of collecting, and which
would clear us of a great portion of the white
worms into the bargain. A man and some
children, furnished with a bag surmounted by
a large funnel of zinc or tin, would accomplish
the work. — D. Loumayb, Huy, (Abrid
from the Bulletin HorticoU.)

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1878. ]

OYPBIPEDIUM SELLIGEEUM.

CYPRIPEDIUM

i)HIS is one of the many fine hybrid
Lady's Slippers raised in the nursery
of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea,
by their foreman, Mr. Seden. It was raised
between C. harbalum and C. Icevigatum^ bat is
quite distinct in character, and is a very hand-
some form, and in evidence of this it may
be mentioned that it has gained two First-class

SELLIGERUM.

Certificates of merit, one from the Boyal
Botanic, and the other from the Boyal Horti-
cultural Society. The accompanying wood-
cut is from Messrs. Veitch's Catalogue, The
habit of the plant is bold and massive, since it
possesses a vigorous constitution. The leaves
are ligulate, broader than in C. laevigatum,
and show but faintly the markings and mottled

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THE FL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIBT.

[Jcsi,

appearance of 0. barhcUum. The scape, which is
erect, and of a blackish-crimson, densely clothed
with pinkish pubescence, supports two or three
flowers, which are larger than those of either
parent. The dorsal sepal is white, with broad,
blackish-crimson veins, while the combined
lower sepals are smaller and whitish. The
petals are about three inches long, deflexed,
with a partial twist, and traversed by crimson
veins. The lip or pouch is nearly as in C,
harhatum^ but lighter in colour. — T. Moobe.

THECULTURE OF WALLFRUITS.
Chaptbe XIV. — The Apbioot (continued).
i)HATEVEE materials with which to
form the compost for the borders may
be available, or which can be selected,
if there is choice, they should be collected into
a heap during summer, and turned over once
or twice, so that they may be in readiness to
wheel on to the ground early in October, at
which time the trees should be planted. If these
latter have to be obtained from a nursery, it
would be wise to select them peraonally a month
or six weeks before the planting time, so as to
secure a good choice. So far as my experience
goes, the trees I should recommend are those
which have been only once headed back from
the maiden state, and have formed equally-
balanced heads of nine or seven branches — viz.,
one centre shoot, and three or four on each side,
as the case may be. The centre-shoot will
always be the strongest, which will be found an
advantage in the after-management. In planting,
tread the border down firmly below the tree, and
remove just sufficient earth for spreading out the
roots, so that the collar — that is, the point
where roots and branches meet — when placed in
position, may be raised from four to six inches
above the general level — quite six inches in
clayey or stiff soil, but in lighter porous soil four
inches will suffice. Lay out the roots carefully,
and cover them well over ; fasten the branches
to the wall lightly, to allow for sinking ; and
mulch the surface over with light litter.

The importance of planting thus early cannot
be too strongly enforced, because at that season
the foliage, having performed its functions, is
about to decay and fall, thereby leaving the
branches in a comparative state of rest, to ripen
off. But although dormant above, there will be
for the next month or six weeks a strong root-

action, of which this early planting is intended
to take advantage, so that there will be almost
a clear gain of a year's growth over a tree
planted, we will say, in March.

The temperature of the earth at the two
seasons will sufficiently indicate why this should
be the case. October, being, as it were, the
end of summer, and retaining in the earth
the vivifying influences of the sun*s heat,
has a grocmd-temperature which is sufficient to
induce in a carefully-planted young tree an
immediate emission of roots, thus placing the
trees in the most natural condition possible,
and enabling them in the best manner to resist
the effects of the violent disruption caused by
lifting and transplanting. Again, owing to
the reciprocal action between the roots below
and the growth above, these roots formed in the
autumn will supply that vital force which will
enable the tree to break forth into an equal
growth in the spring, so that there will be no
necessity to carry out the common practice of
heading the tree back severely; while the
judicious management of the after-growth will
essentially contribute to the maintenance of
the balance between the roots and branches,
by which the commencement of a fruitful
habit of growth is made, and the tree is cer-
tainly one year, often two or three years, in
advance, as regards the production of fruit, over
a tree later planted, and closely headed back.
This latter operation must, indeed, always be
performed in the case of late-planted trees, as if
the shoots are left at their full length they have a
strong tendency to break only at their extremi-
ties ; and in order to keep the tree " at home,** as
is sometimes said, these must be considerably
shortened, the result of which will very often
be a series of strong-growing, luxuriant, and
unfruitful branches, requiring a considerable
amount of restrictive management, by way of
pinching-back, to keep them at all within
bounds. But then, again, if this is carried too
far, the healthy action of the roots is checked,
and the foundation of a premature debility
laid ; whilst, on the contrary, if left unchecked,
they grow away rampantly for a few years,
and before fruit-bearing can be induced, they
must go through the operation of violent dis-
ruption by lifting and replanting.

All this points to the real economy of early
planting, by which, with care, the trees can be

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1878.]

AMEBIOAN BLAGEBBBBIE8 AND BASPBEBBHSS. — ^TUOGA FILAlfENTOSA TABIEGATA.

fairly staiied on a fruitful habit of growth ;
and the sooner in the life of the tree this ten-
dency can be induced, the less liability will
there be of its breaking out into an over-
luxuriant state, and thus the operation of root-
pruning will become unnecessary. — John Cox,
Redleaf,

AMERICAN BLACKBERRIES
AND RASPBERRIES.

QTT^ HAVE had sent me during the past autumn
€\ [^ from America, a Blackberry, named the
^^^ KittcUinny^ said to be one of their best
sorts ; likewise a Raspberry named the Reliance^
said to be a new seedling lately sent out, a
great bearer, and of a large size and fine flavour.
I intend giving them a fair trial, but whether
it is that our climate docs not suit Americiin
Blackberries, I have never been able to grow
the Lawton variety satisfactorily. In America,
both Blackberries and Raspberries, as we learn
from the horticultural publications, are grown
now in immense quantities, to supply the
markets. The Strawberry is likewise in great
demand, and numbers of new seedlings are yearly
advertised for sale by nurserymen and others.

We have in our Parsley-leaved Blackberry a
variety well worthy of being more cultivated
than it is, for its fruit is considerably larger
ihan the wild sort, and better flavoured. It
can be grown, like Raspberries, in rows, tied
to stakes in the same way, and not allowed
to ramble about too much. In growing it, I
usually select young shoots from the old plants,
and put in a fresh row or two every autumn,
so as always £o have the plants in a good bear-
ing state, as the old shoots get too large and
unproductive after a few years' growth. One
of the best preserves I know of is made from
the fruit of the Blackberry, mixed with a few
rather acid apples. — William Tillebt,
Welhech

YUCCA FILAMENTOSA
VARIEGATA.

F the many variegated subjects that
have been brought into more general
notice since the merits of fine-leaved
plants became fully appreciated in this country,
there are few that attain a medium size more
beautiful, or more deserving of cultivation,
than this. If proof were wanting as to the
influence which fashion has upon demand, and

through that upon value, I could not point to a
better plant than this to afford it, for though
it has been long in cultivation, and for the
last twenty years has been propagated as
quickly as the means and knowledge of the
many who have taken it in hand would per-
mit of, it is yet both scarce and dear, small
trade plants being worth a guinea, and I have
known within the last few years as much as
twenty guineas paid for a fine, fully grown
example.

It is, in all probability, a sport from the
American green-leaved species, F. filamentosa^
but how or where the variegated form originated,
I have not been able to learn. The plant,
like a few others in cultivation, is extremely
exceptional, in a property which few repre-
sentatives of the vegetable kingdom pos-
sess, — that is, its ability to thrive well
continuously under a very wide range of
temperature. It is hardy in most places
throughout this country, where the soil is not of
an exceptionally damp, retentive description,
or the humidity is such as to induce growth of
a character not calculated to withstand our
severest frosts. Yet although thus hardy, it
will bear keeping altogether in a temperature
almost as high as most plants in cultivation,
provided it is accommodated with a light
position, and not too much darkened by over-
shading, or the light obscured by other plants
overhanging it. So far from suffering through
a high temperature, it attains a size and beauty
in proportion very much greater than it can
possibly arrive at by open-air culture. In fact,
the best specimens I have ever seen out-of-
doors are altogether wanting in the graceful
curvature of the leaves, the pure white in their
variegation, and do not attain to more than a
fourth of the size of plants subjected to stove
treatment.

As might naturally be supposed, its growth
out-of-doors is very much slower than when in
heat, neither can it be increased at anything
like the same rate in the open air. It propa-
gates readily from root-cuttings, which may be
taken off at different times in the year, but I
have found about the end of July the best, in-
asmuch as the season's root-growth about this
time (I am of course now speaking of plants
grown in heat), is sufficiently matured for the
purpose. Another advantage is that the plants

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[JCKK,

that have been thus partially divested of their
roots to make stock have time to form more
fibres and get established before winter, in a
way not admissible if the operation was per«
formed later on ; and if the disrooting thus
necessary is done early in the spring, it has a
serious effect in checking top-growth.

I may here observe that the removal of roots
for stock purposes should never be attempted
with a plant that has not attained a moderate
size and strength, otherwise the check will be
proportionately greater, and the roots removed
will not be sufficiently strong to break shoots
that will form plants calculated to grow away
freely. The method of procedure is to turn
the plants about to be operated upon out
of the pots, allowing the soil previously
to have got a little dry, so that it will
crumble away, without breaking more than is
unavoidable of the small fibres; remove the
crocks from the bottom, laying the plants down
on the potting-bench, and with the fingers
gradually working the whole of the soil away
from amongst the roots — in fact, literally
effecting that which is understood by com-
pletely shaking-out, with the least possible
mutilation. When thus divested of the soil,
the plants will be found to consist of a stout,
underground stem, more or less in length, and
generally descending perpendicularly. This in
healthy specimens will be studded from bottom
to top with roots occupying a horizontal posi-
tion. It is the strongest of these from which
the future plants are to be made. They should
be removed with a keen-edged knife close to
the main stem ; the removal may extend to from
one-half to two-thirds of the amount of roots
the plants possess, in all cases taking the
strongest. As soon as these are disentangled
and got away, the plants should immediately
be placed in smaller pots. They will thrive in
either peat or loam, but I prefer the latter,
when of a good free nature, using with it enough
sand to make the whole porous, and such as
will easily crumble to pieces, — a matter neces-
sary to keep in sight for similar shakings-out
at a future time, as if the material used is at
all of a close adhesive nature, it cannot be re-
moved from the roots without breaking them
considerably. Usually pots two-thirds the
size of those they have already occupied will
be big enough. Pot firm, and place the plants

in a brisk growing temperature, in a compara-
tively close atmosphere, for a few weeks, until
the roots again begin to work.

The roots to produce the young stock should
at once be cut into lengths of from three-
quarters to one inch each, the thicker portions
being reduced to the former and the thinner
ones to the latter size. Prepare a pan or pans,
according to the number of cuttings, by suffi-
ciently draining, and two-thirds filling with
fine sandy soil, the remainder filled up with
clean silver-sand; in this insert the cuttings
an inch apart, just leaving the upper end on a
level with the surface. Sprinkle slightly over-
head with the syringe, and remove the pans
directly to the stove, or propagating-pit, K
loose sheets of glass are placed over the pans,
it will prevent evaporation, and obviate the
necessity of giving much water, which it is
better to avoid until growth has commenced.
For the same purpose, shade in sunny weather.
In a few weeks they will begin to grow, when
by degrees remove the glasses, giving more air
and water. The young leaves first made will
be very small, such as follow will gradually
increase in size. As soon as they have made
two or three, each an inch long, put them
singly into small pots, using fine soil, similar to
that advised for the cuttings, only with less
sand, in the place of which add a little leaf-
mould. They should be kept in the stove
through the winter, stood on ashes or some
moisture-holding material, as if stood on bare
shelves, the little pots are apt to get dried up.
A night temperature through the winter of 60°
will suit them, with a little more by day. In
the spring, when growth has fairly commenced,
and the small pots are tolerably full of roots,
move into others a size or two larger, using
soil such as before reconmiended. They should
now, if possible, occupy a position on the side
stage up to the glass, where they will get plenty
of light, increasing the temperature as required
for the general occupants of the house.

The treatment henceforward will be of a
routine character, simply giving more root-
room as needed. A large well-developed
specimen will do with a pot 15 in. or 16 in. in
diameter. After being fairly established,
manure-water once or twice a week will be a
great advantage.

Returning to the old plants from which the

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* Madarlane del . ' G oevareyns. Chromol-.lKBrusse.i

Peacli Golden Frogmore.

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1878. ]

THE PBOGMOBB GOLDEN PEACH. — MABKBT PLANTS — ^IV.

yotmg stock was obtained, if all has gone well,
they will require more room the spring follow-
ing. In this case, remove any of the bottom
leaves that have decayed, and sink the plants
lower in the pot. They should be grown on
freely through the summer. The disrooting
for propagation may take place every other
year, and as the strong underground stem gets
longer, a portion of it may be cut away, re-
ducing it to inch-lengths, which will form
stout plants in less time than the side-roots.
When the specimens have attained a useful
size, they are beautiful objects for greenhouse
or conservatory decoration, in which position
they may be kept wholly or through the
summer months, transferring them to more
warmth during the autumn and winter, where
they will keep on growing. But nothing is
gained by too long abstaining from interference
with the roots for propagating purposes, as in
this case, when the plants get strong, they will
throw up bloom-stems which, looked at from
a point of increasbg the stock, is a serious
drawback.

If ever this plant gets suflSciently plentiful,
it will be a grand market subject, as a more
beautiful object for halls and roonxs it is diffi-
cult to imagine. — T. Baines, Southgate,

THE

FROGMORE GOLDEN
PEACH.

[Plate 460.]
)HIS handsome Peach, as its name im-
plies, originated in the Boyal Gardens,
Frogmore, a few years ago, and is the
result of a cross between the Bellegarde Peach
and Pitmaston Orange Nectarine, from which
latter parent it inherits its yellow flesh.

The fruit is of the medium size, usually a
little larger than it is represented in our figure
[from specimens obligingly sent us by the Eev.
W. F. Badclyffe, from his gardens at Okeford
Fitzpaine]. It is evenly shaped, having a
shallow suture, and is but slightly indented at
the crown. The skin is of a dark brownish red,
when fqlly exposed to the sun, fading off to a
golden yellow when shaded. The flesh is
tender, fine-grained, and of a yellow hue,
except near the stone, where it is tinged with
red. It parts freely from the stone, and is
of good quality, with a fine peach-flavour.

The trees are of a free and healthy habit,

and not at all subject to mildew. It belongs
to the section producing large flowers, and is
provided with smooth leaves, having globose
glands. The flowers are of a deep pink colour,
so that when in blossom the tree forms an
object quite worthy of admiration. — J. Powell,
Frogmm^e.

MARKET PLANTS.— IV.

POINSETTIA PULGHEBBIMA.

^0 plant is more attractive and useful as
a decorative agent than the glorious
Poimettia pulcherrima^ all the more
valuable, because its richly tinted vermilion
bracts can be had in their most lustrous
radiance at Christmas, when bright colours are
most acceptable, and their warmth and life
contrast so well with the dreariness without-
doors.

A few market cultivators excel in the pro-
duction of this fine plant. They grow it
by the thousand, and not only find an outlet
for their productions in the London flower-
markets, but applications for plants come from
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Manchester, Birmingham,
and other great industrial centres.

The most remarkable feature is the short
time required to bring these plants to perfeo-
tion — about nine months. 8tock plants are
kept from which to obtain cuttings ; these are
had in May, and as soon as taken are put
singly in thumb-pots, and the pots placed in
a brisk bottom-heat, in one of those close-
frames found in the low propagating houses in
market-growing establishments, which from
one year's end to the other unceasingly illus-
trate unremitting activities. All market-
growing work is done at high pressure^-every
workman appears thoroughly in earnest. The
attention is directed to the production of a
certain number of things, in given proportions,
at the proper time, and eveiy day witnesses a
substantial advance made towards this de-
sired end. In about a couple of weeks the
cuttings begin to make roots, and at this
point they are constantly examined, and if
any are found to have rooted, they are lifted
out of the hot-bed, and the pots placed on a
dry, warm stage, near the glass. Mr. John
Beeves, of Acton, one of the most extensive
and successful growers of the Poimettia^ re-
gards this as a somewhat critical time for the
rooted plants, for ^' singular as the statement

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THB FLOBIBT AND POMOLOGIBT.

[Juki,

may appear, yet it is found to be a correct one
in practice : if the young plants are allowed to
remain plunged in bottom-heat, after being
rooted, they are very apt to rot off dose to the
soU.''

When the plants have rooted nicely into the
cutting-pots, they are, after being hardened off a
little, taken to one of those long low span-roofed
houses which appear to be inseparable from the
production of market-plants, and kept a little
close. At the end of July, or early in August,
as opportunity serves, the plants are shifted in
48-sized — the blooming — ^pots, and this is the
only shift the plants receive.

There is no mystery about the potting com-
post used. Some good sweet well-decomposed
turfy loam, leaf-mould, and sand make up the
soil. This is the regulation compost for a
market establishment, with some manure added,
for certain things.

From the time the plants are potted on, to
that when they are ready for market, they
are treated to a routine of constant atten-
tion ; and this, combined with as complete a
uniformity of temperature as possible, makes
up the cultural process. The plants are
freely watered — this is never grudged them
— and as they approach maturity a little
liquid cow-manure is occasionally adminis-
tered. A dry bottom is considered of
the first importance, and the stages on which
the plants stand are so constructed as that the
water freely passes away. A generous treat-
ment, without any pretence at coddling, is given.
There is no thought of starvation or a resting
process to induce the production of the magni-
ficent bracts. " The plants arc never syringed
overhead, and though near the glass, they are
never shaded from the sun.*' As the days
shorten, and the air becomes chilly, just suffi-
cient fire-heat is maintained to impart a
comfortable, but by no means heated or
close atmosphere. "Air is plentifully given,
at the same time, cold draughts of air should
not play directly on the plants." The rule
laid down by Mr. Beeves is to give plenty of
air, as that intensifies the richness of colour
and the soHdity of the bracts.

The fitness of this temperate treatment is
shown when the plants are taken to market or
sent away to a distance. They bear exposure
with something approaching impunity, for

some plants sent at Ohristmas last to Newcastle-
on-Tyne, and returned agsdn through some
informality, appeared little the worse for the
long journey.

The white variety of the Poinsettia is bat
little grown for market, but the double form,
by reason of iU being some three weeks or a
month later, promises to be extensively grown
when it becomes more plentiful. — ^Bighabd
Dean, Ealing^ W.

SELAGINELLA VICTORIiE.*

NE of the most beautiful of all the
Club-mosses, having the general habit
and aspect of Selagtnella Wallichii^ to
which it is closely allied, though on comparison
it is seen to be distinct, especially in the
branches which are evenly pinnate, like the
frond of a fern, but instead of diminishing
. gradually to the point, as in S, Wallichii^ tho
branch is here formed of nearly equal-sized
parallel branchlets, the terminal one being of the
same size and form as the rest, resembling thus
an imparipinnate leaf. The plant is evidently
of scandent habit, like S, Wallichii^ the old
stems becoming somewhat woody at the base, and
throwing out new shoots from the apex after a
period of rest, the new shoot growing on as
before. It has been imported by Mr. Bull
from the South Sea Islands, and is known in
herbaria from other Pacific stations, having
been previously associated with S. WaUichii^
from which the growing plants are at once
seen to be distinct. It has a creeping caudex,
from which the subscandent stem springs up
at intervals. These stems produce the alter-
nate ovate branches, which are flat and closely
pinnate, remarkable for their symmetry of
arrangement. The small ultimate brandilets
are about an inch in length, terminated by a
slender quadrangular spikelet, from 1 in. to 1^
in. long or more. The colour of the fronds is
a dark sap-green, the spikelets being some-
what paler. The accompanying figure, which
scarcely does justice to the elegance of the
plant, is from Mr. Bull's Catalogue^ in which it
is this year offered for the first time. — ^T.

MOOBE.

* S. Victorim: Btem Bcandent, 2-8 ft. or more, continued by
new terminal growtha, regnUrly branched, becoming bare
below; branches flat, ovate, very regularly pinnate, not
descreioent to the apex, but terminating in a branchlet
•imilar to the rest; branchleta 8 -16th of an inch wide, simple,
those of the fertile branches about 1 inch long, set about
l-8th of an inch apart, the basal ones often fenced ; learas
oblong-faloate, entire, the anterior bsae cut away, the
posterior prodooed; midrib disUnot; intermediate leaves
much smaller, semi-oyate acuminate parallel ; spikes slender,
tetragonal, terminating the branohleli, 1-2 inohes long.

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1878. 1

NOBTHEEN SHOW OP THE NATIONAL AURICULA SOCIETY.

SSLAaiNKLUL VlCTORIiB.

NORTHERN SHOW OF THE NATIONAL AURICULA SOCIETY.

fT must have been with an intense feeling
of relief that the Auricula exhibitors
of the .10 th of April turned their backs
for ever upon the dismal, stuffy old Exhibi-
tion-room of the Hulmo Town Hall, where
the damaged daylight grew so ghastly pale and
sickly, that it felt like an act of mercy to light

the gas, and put it out of its misery at once 1
Brighter prospects seemed before us in the
spacious room allotted in the magnificent
building of the great Town Hall. But the
day turned dark and wet, the dirty old gloom
crept in, and the dead-grey light had to be
illuminated by some handsome spikes of that

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[JtJ5«,

capital night-flowering town plant, the gas-
ometer, in full blow !

It was all in very sad, depressive contrast to
the beautiful palace of light at Sydenham,
where the air and sunshine are so free, and the
glare of the noon-tide so sweetly tempered to
the deHcate bloom by fleecy-white light
shadings, that are made to float like clouds
across the open spaces overhead. Manchester,
with her mighty industries, perhaps, cannot
keep her air more pure, and her fogs less like
an aerial soup ;^ but she has better accommoda-
tion for intramural flower-shows than any she
will grant at present, and it is but worthy of
the great fame the smoke-dried city has for
the quality and magnificence of these exhibi-
tions, that she should afford the plants and the
public the advantages of the best available
space.

The flowers were shown in fair condition,
but all the season through, the bloom has,
neither north nor south, been of so high a
quality as last year ; and some of the great
Auriculas, notably Lancashire Hero and George
Lightbody, have not put forth their splendid
powers.

I hardly agree in thinking with " D., Deal,"
that ^^ there was a freshness and a brightness
here which would be vainly sought for among
the plants at the Southern Show." There
were many bright young flowers, but so there
were also in the South. In fact, at Manchester
Mr. Simonite, who, among othec winnings,led the
first two classes, had actually to largely use his
London plants over again, which must, there-
fore, presumably, have been fresh and bright
enough almost a week before. Mr. D'Ombrain
also remarks that he '^ cannot believe in the
freshness of Auriculas opened in 60° of heat,
and brought up there a couple of hundred of
miles, and two or three days out of their pots.**
Well, they somehow are brought fresh, but
this is not exactly what they have gone through.
The Southern growers were already forward
enough for the Palace Show, so were my own
flowers ; in fact, many of my selfs and earlier
edged flowers were too far gone, and I, for one,
certainly never used 60° of heat. I fought
very hard against it on sunny days, but
was once driven to 65°. A man must
be in an uncomfortable hurry who cares to
bloom his auriculas above 55°. Neither are

our Northern plants in London two or three
days out of their pots before-hand. I sit up all
night, and pack mine by the morning before
the show. The distance, alas ! I cannot deny.
It was feared there would be a short bloom
for Manchester, but it is wonderful how bravely
a flower like the Auricula will endeavour to
come up to time. Mr. Wilson had almost de-
spaired of getting anything out, but with a
touch of kindly weather the plants were quickly
ready, while other growers, who wrote to me
dolefully declining labels, drew nigh on the
day of the show with a goodly capacity for
them.

Prince of Greens made a sensation in the
hands of Mr. Wilson, indeed I have never had
it or seen it so fine before. The paste, body,
and edge were superb in every point, and only
the poverty of the ever-weak tube stood to
detract from the high beauty of a first-rate
green-edged Auricula. Mr. Wilson had a bloom
well done of old Countess of Wilts, a white
edge, given to being small and buffy in the
white, while the plant is an odd, and generally
not a pretty grower.

Mr. Simonite brought his green seedling
Talisman, but it has not been the sort of season
in Sheffield in which to expect any good thing
to struggle up to the mark. You have to
multiply wind, and fog, and frost by smoke
and deadly gases, to understand the difficulties
of Floriculture, in a land where green things
are forgotten, except at Bough Bank. Mr.
Simonite had Alex. Meiklejohn, as a white edge,
which is conmionly a grey ; and a very distinct
and fine Lovely Ann, so constantly a green
edge of superior quality to the usual plants of
it as to be a strain. Hardly any fiower lasts
so long in perfection as this untiring old sort.
There were no Lancashire Heroes worthy the
old name ; and Lightbody was not great, though
neat and bright on some specimens. Smiling
Beauty was heavyish in ground-colour, and not at
her whitest on the edge. There was Ashworth's
Regular, a very scarce white, pretty, but like
Catharina, too small in the pip, and sometimes
reflexing, but always very correctly marked.
The plant is very distinct in habit, with pale,
straw-coloured, mealed foliage. Frank Simonite
is a lovely violet-grounded white, and was both
here and in London. It has great staying-
powers, and is a truly rich addition to the class.

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1878.]

NOBTHEBN SHOW OF THE NATIONAL AUBIOULA SOCIETY.

Dake of Argyll, a ricli gold-tubed crimson self,
of an unprolific nature, was shown, but here
rather dull. It is valuable because of bloom-
ing late, and so waiting to accompany the late-
blooming edges, from which many of the earlier
selfs almost run away. John Waterston was
shown very large, and flat, and fine ; and
Alex. Mciklejohn was very good on several
plants, having plenty of bold, rich body to
balance . the always broad, grey edge.
There were no fine Colonel Taylors, and
for Page's Champion it was almost too late.
Trail's Anna has. like many other good flowers,
not been correct this year, but it managed
to head the single greens. It has been much
^^ out " with Mr. 8imonite and myself, and about
the rate of a bad Lady Wilbraham.

The selfs were led by Ellen Lancaster, a
flower of great substanxje and power of ground-
colour, with a finely rounded petal, but sadly
deficient in sharpness, brilliancy, and breadth
of paste. Pizarro has played sad pranks this
year, coming with shaded edge and cracks and
spots in the paste. But he is not given to such
bad ways to the extent to which he has indulged
in them this year, and I still think that Pizarro
when right is our best self in circulation. Charles
Perry was shown unusually large and stiff, and
looked, very fine. Blackbird was good too.

Polyanthuses were fair, but not in such force
and beauty as at the Crystal Palace, where it
was a memorable joy to see them in a style of
growth and bloom that proves that vigour and
effectiveness belong not exclusively to coarse
things that go by the name ^^ laced Polyanthus,"
properly belonging to the true old florist flower.
But the date was getting late for the Polyan-
thus, and many of the best Northern plants had
been up to the Palace.

The following is the Manchester Prize List,
the judges being Mr. James Douglas, Loxford ;
Mr. John Douglas, York; J. Hepworth,
Huddersfield ; Mr. B. Lord, Todmorden ; Mr.
Thomas Lancashire, Middleton ; Mr. B.
Southern, Bolton ; and Mr. J. Cockroft, Oven-
den, Halifax : —

6 AuiucuLAs, one of each class. — lst» Mr. Ben
Simonite, Rough Bank, Sheffield, with a seedling,
Mrs. Doaglas, violet self, George Lightbody, Talis-
man, Lady Ann, and Alexander Meiklejohn, with
a broad white edge. 2nd, Mr. H. Wilson, with a
fine Alexander Meiklejohn with fine pips. Prince of
Greens, Smiling Beauty, Gkuribaldi (Pohlman), a
very nice dark self ; Colonel Taylor and Countess
of Wilton. 3rd, Miss Steward, Bishopethorpe,
York, with George Lightbody (Headly), Lancashire
Hero (Lancashire), a flower of very large size, and
rather coarse I Lord Clyde (Lightbody), Ann Smith
(Smith), Lovely Ann (Oliver), and Alderman Wis«
bey (Headly). 4th, Mr. B. PoWman (Halifax).
5th, Clement Boyds, Esq.

4 AmiicuLAS. — Ist, Mr. Simonite, with Duke of
Argyll, Talisman, Frank Simonite, and George
Lightbody (Headly). 2nd, Mr. Wilson, Halifax,
with Champion (Page), George Lightbody, very
bright; Smiling Beauty (Heap), very good; and
Meteor Flag. Srd, Mr. T. Woodhead, Shilden Head
Brewery, Halifax. 4th, C. Boyds, Esq. 5th, Mr.
£. Pohlman.

Auriculas, pair. — 1st, Richard Gorton, Esq.,
Gildabrook, Eccles, with Blackbird (Spalding) and
John Waterston (Cunningham). 2nd, Miss Steward.
Srd, Mr. Simonite. 4th, Mr. Woodhead. 5th, Mr.
T. Mellor, Ashton-nnder-Lyne.

Grbbn-eooed. — Mr. H. Wilson won premium
with Traill's Anna; 1st, with Prince of Greens;
Srd, with Colonel Taylor ; 4th and 8th, with Page's
Champion. Mr. W. Taylor, Middleton, 2nd, with
Lancashire Hero. Mr. Ben Simonite, 5th, with a
seedling, and 6th with Talisman. C. Boyds, Esq.,
7th, with seedling.

Gret-edged. — Mr. Woodhead won premium
with Alexander Meiklejohn ; 2nd, with John Water-
ston. Mr. J. Booth was 1st, with Richard Headly ;
3rd, George Lightbody ; 7th, Queen Victoria. Mr.
W. Taylor, 4th, Lancashire Hero. Mr. H. Wilson,
5th, with George Levick. Mr. B. Simonite, 6th, with
Samuel Barlow; and 8th, with Conqueror of
Europe.

White-eooed. — Mr. W. Taylor won premium with
Smiling Beauty. Mr. H. Wilson 1st, with Ashworth's
Regular ; Mr. M. Parting^n, Middleton, 2nd, with
Ringleader; Mr. B. Simonite Srd, with Trail's
Beauty ; 4th, with Frank Simonite ; Mr. J. Booth 5th,
with White Rival; Miss Steward 6th, with Ann
Smith; 8th, with Richard Headly; Mr. T. Mellor
7th, with Maggie Lauder.

Selfs. — C. Royds, Esq., won premium with Ellen
Lancaster; 1st, with the same variety; 6th, with
Mrs. Sturrock; Mr. W. F. Bateman, Low Moor,
Bradford, 2nd, with Blackbird; Mr. H. Wilson 8rd,
with C. J. Perry ; 4th, with Graribaldi ; 5th, with
Othello; 8th, with Meteor Flag; Mr. Pohlman 7th,
with Lord of Lome.

4 Alpine Auriculas. — 1st, Mr. Booth, with Queen
Victoria, John Leech, Diadem, and Mercury. 2nd,^
Miss Steward. 8rd, R. Gorton, Esq. 4th, Samuel
Barlow, Esq., StakehiU, Chadderton. In singles, Mr.
Booth won premium with Diadem ; 1st, with Diadem ;
2nd, with Spangle; 8rd, with Minnie; 4th, with
Etna. 5th, S. Barlow, Esq., with Ovid. These were
yellow-centred flowers. In the class with white
centres Mr. T. Mellor won premium with Conspicua.
1st, Mr. J. Booth, with Electro ; Srd, with Tenniel.
2nd, Miss Steward, the same exhibitor being placed
4th with a seedling. R. Gorton, Esq., 6th, with
George Lightbody.

Samuel Barlow, Esq., gained a 1st prize for a
very fine basket of twelve fancy Polyanthus ; the
same exhibitor showed a basket of fancy Auriculas,
comprising yellow self and yellow-edged flowers;
the 1st prize was again awarded. In the class for
twelve double and single Primroses, W. Brookbank,
Esq., Didsbury, Manchester, was 1st, with a nice
group ; S. Barlow, 2nd. Polyanthus of the laced
section were exhibited in pairs and singles. Mr. J.
Beswick, Middleton, was 1st, with Exile and Lancer ;
and Mr. R. Dyson, Chadderton, 2nd, with Lord
Lincoln and Exile. Mr. Beswick won premium
with Exile, 1st with Exile, 2nd with Lord Lincohi,
8rd with Cheshire Favourite ; 4th, Mr. R. Dyson,
with George IV. ; the same exhibitors gaining the
other prizes, except the eighth, which was President^
from Mr. Partington.

— ^F. D. HoBNEB, Kirkbif'Malzeardy Sipon,

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THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ JUSB,

VILLA GARDENING FOR JUNE.

lUNE is tHe most glorious montH of the

year. It is full of the most splendid

gifts of the rich snmmer-time : —

" And now tho mother of the rose,

Bright Jane, leads on the glowing honro,
And from her hand Inxnriant throws
Her lovely groups of summer flowers."

This is how poets have sung of June ; and the
sweetest song that poet ever imagined would
fail to do justice to that glad tone of the sum-
mer rising to the swell of the grand chorus of
earth's joy.

Gbeenhouse. — A succession of blooming
plants, so as to secure a continuous display, is
now indispensable, and as soon as any decay,
they should be removed, and others be brought
forward to take their place. There is no neces-
sity for crowding the shelves of the Green-
house, and it is far better to have a few
well-grown plants nicely displayed, than many
of an inferior character crowded together.
Cleanliness must be strictly adhered to, for
what can look worse than dirty plants ? and
80 fumigation and syringing will be found very
necessary ; the latter is of great service in
keeping down green-fly, and giving a good
appearance to the foliage. In syringing, if a
little care be used, the foliage can be nicely
cleansed and invigorated, without drenching the
flowers. Plants that have their pots well filled
with roots will be greatly benefited by the
application of a little weak manure- water.

As Cinerarias go out of flower, they should
be stood out in a shady spot in the open
air, on an ash-bottom, at least any that it
may be desirable to propagate by cuttings.
Calceolarias will now be very gay, but
the delicate flowers must be shaded from
the sun, or they soon get damaged. Pelar"
goniums are now very brilliant; one of the
most desirable a villa gardener can grow is
Triomphe de St. Mande, one of the decorative
Show class that produces immense trusses of
bloom. Heroine, Bob Boy, Empress, Duke of
Cambridge, and Crimson King are sdso good.
Nice bushy plants of Deutzia gracilis in 48-
pots are most useful, greatly helping the supply
of cut-flowers; and HarrisorCs New Musk is
especially good for the greenhouse. Fuchsias
are getting very gay, and Zonal Pelargoniums
in variety back them up well. There are many
other things, too numerous to mention, that
are now most useful in the greenhouse.

Many things that have gone out of flower
can be removed to the open air, for it is now
mild enough for them to bear exposure. A
sheltered and shady spot is necessary, where
wind and sun cannot harm them. If the
plants be stood on an ash-bottom, worms
cannot work through to the roots. Any that

require shifting should be so treated. If a
continuation of wet weather should follow, it is
an easy matter to lay the plants on their sides,
to keep them from harm through saturation.

Floweb Garden. — Bedding-out, whether to
fill up certain beds after an arranged plan, or
simply in the way of occupying spaces in
ordinary flower-borders, must now be proceeded
with and finished. An observant gardener
puts out the hardier plants first, and finishes
off with the tender ones. During the end of
May, bedding-out was pushed forward with
ardour, for were not the days warm, though
dull, and the nights correspondingly favourable.
In showery times plants quickly make root, and
fasten themselves to the soil. If blustering
winds continue, it will be necessary to stake
some of the largest plants, to keep them from
being loosened or snapped off near the ground.
Carnations^ Picotees^ and PiTiks are veiy
rapidly throwing up their fiower-stems, and
staking is absolutely necessary ; the stems are
brittle, and they are very apt to be snapped off
at a joint. Pentstemons^ PyreUirums^ Phloxes^
and Brompton Stocks are particularly exposed
to damages from gusts of wind ; and so are
Sweet Williams, but the branches of the latter
can be secured by passing a piece of bast round
them. As Aiiefnones and Ranwiculus go out of
flower, cut away the flowering stems, but leave
every leaf of foliage on them ; its presence is in-
dispensable to the ripening process. Pwonies,
the Double White Mocket^ A quilegias in Yoneij ;
Canterbury Bells^ Antirrhinums^ ^., are now
objects of great beauty in the hardy border, and
they well repay care and attention. What a
season this is for bedding Violas ; they are
growing away and flowering with great profusion,
and are charming objects in beds and borders.
Plenty of Weeds are putting in appearance,
and must be kept down ; rake, hoe, and do all
that is necessary, so as to impart a tidy appear-
ance to the beds. Grass-plots must be fre-
quently mown and edged, while the weather
keeps moist ; gravel walks must be kept dean
and neat, and box edgings nicely clipped.

Kitchen Gabden. — Here there are Peas to
stake, and Beans in flower may have their tops
pinched off, to cause the pods to swell.
Mustard, Cress, Lettuce, and Radishes should
still be sown for succession, and full crops of
Cabbage, Cauliflowei* for late cutting. Kales
must be planted out. The hoe ^ould be
constantly in use, and kept in motion among
the tsrops, to open up fresh raw portions of the
soil to the pulverising action of the atmo-
sphere, and to admit the air and moisture freely
into the mass. This is most beneficial to the
luxuriant growth of all vegetables, and as a
fine old gardener once remarked, " is opposed
to the growth of weeds, and acts with terribly
destructive force against the health, comfort,

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1878. ]

GABDSIN OOBSIP.

breeding, and thriving of all vermin, and pre«
venting any of them making their home
thereabouts." No time should be lost in
getting out Celeiy^ and if the weather is dry,
the trenches should be well soaked with water
before planting. The principles of successful
kitchen-gardening may be summed up in a
few words : — A loose, rough, friable state of the
soil ; deep and rough tillage ; plenty of manure,
and freedom from weeds and vermin.

Feutt-Gaeden. — ^Towards the middle of the
month, Feach and Nectarine trees will require
pruning, leaving a good supply of young wood
for another year. Wall'^r'uit will require
thinning, where the crops are thick enough to
require it. A general attention to cleanliness
is indispensable in all trees. The weather is
highly favourable to the production of wood,
and judicious thinning-out will be required.—

SUBUEBANXrS.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

' the BOTAL HOBTICULTUSAL SoOIETT'S

Meeting on May 7, the principal
novelties certificated were JRhipidoptetis
peltata gracillimoj a pretty miniature acrostichoid
creeping fern, saitable for basket-culture, the fronds
palm-like and freely cut.. Adiantum Lawionicmwnf
a garden sport of very elegant character, with
minnto curved pinnules. Coleus Qeorge Ewnyard,
a variety with rosy* centred leaves, edged with broniy-
grcen; Azalea indica Madame Eeckhaute, a semi-
double white of large size and pure in colour; Prim-
ula acaulis Bulphurea majors a very large and full
sulphur-yellow ; all from Messrs. Veitch and Sons.
Anemidictyon Phyllitidia ttssellatt^ a flowering fern
with the venation marked out by a darker green tint.
Adiantum Lawsonianum. Coleus Kentish Firej rosy-
centred with a frilled edge ; from Mr. B. S. Williams.
Alpine Auricula Silviuy a self-edged maroon with
pale centre, from Mr. Douglas. Marica pacificoj a
pretty but fugacious Irid, with white and pur-
plish flowers. Iris Leichtliniif a hybrid between
susiana and iherica; Cama^sia Brovmiif a fine
purplish-flowered species, from H. J. Elwes, Esq.
Bomarea CaXdasii, a fine greenhouse climber, from
Bev. H. N. EUacombe. Saxifra^a edlycijloraf a
dwarf purplish-flowered species, from Mr. Atkins.
A Seoond-class Certificate was given to Messrs.
Veitch, for Azalea Kaiser Wilhelm, a small but
bright rosy variety, valuable for decoration ; and a
Botanical Certificate for Dioscorea retv^a, a
very elegant climber, with compound leaves and
drooping clustered spikes. On May 21, Mr.
Williams had First-class Certificates for Adiantum
neoguineense, a medium-sized free-growing fern of
distinct character; Ptychosperma rupicolOf a fine
palm, with bold pinnate leaves, bronzy«red when
young; and for Cycas media, Alsopkila plumosOf and
the noble Badleria cyatheoides, G. F. Wilson, Esq.,
showed a beautiful specimen of Lilium tenmfoliwm,
with two fine pyramids of brilliant scarlet flowers.

— fRn. Ekight, of Battle, has sent us

specimens of what he calls ^^ the fifth eruption

of Vesuvius," in the shape of a sport from

Pelargonium Wonderful, in which the flowers are
double, and striped with white, as in the variety
called Kew Life. It may, therefore, be regarded as

a double New Life, or a Striped Wonderful. Vesuvius
has now become very notorious for its sports.

— SlcooEDiNa to M. Oarri^re the best Bait

for Insect Traps is a mixture of beer and

water. He filled a number of glass fly-traps

with different liquids, sweet and sour, and placed
them under some fruit-trees, which were subject to
the attacks of flies and other insects. After three
weeks, the victims were counted. The trap con-
taining beer and water contained 850 flies and
other insects ; that with pure beer contained 631 ;
those with crushed pears, weak wine, and pure
wine coming next, pure wine being at the bottom of
the poll, with only 17 sufferers.

— Chb show of the Southern Section of the
National Cabnation and Picotee Society
has been fised to take place at South Kensing-
ton, in conjunction with the meeting of the Royal
'Horticultural Society, on July 28. A liberal prize

schedule has been framed and issued, and may be
obtained of the honorary secretary, Mr. E. S. Dod.
well, 11 Chatham Terrace, LarkhaU Rise, Clapham,
London, S.W. A few more guineas are, however,
needed in the treasury, in order to relieve the ofi&cials
of any anxiety as to meeting the awards of the
judges.

— {He hear of another Hybbid Sabba-
GENiA at Glasnevin, where a most interesting
feature of the plant-houses is the long range
of Sarracenias, comprising all, or nearly all, the
species in cultivation, many of them being in flower,
as, for instance, 8. rubra, 8. fiava, 8. /. grandijlora.
8, purpurea, &c. Of these, for floral beauty and
effect the last named is the most telling. The
above-named variety of 8» flava is a striking one,
the very pale yellow of the normal form giving
place to a colour as pronounced as that of the
daffodil. The plant, however, at present of most
interest is a new hybrid raised at Glasnevin, and
now flowering for the first time. It is the result of
a cross between <S. fiava and 8* rubra, the former
being the pollen, the latter the seed-bearing parent.
The offspring resemble the male parent in their
greatly-increased size (those of the female parent,
B. rubra, being comparatively small), while the pale
yellow of the former is changed for the dark crim-
son glow of the flowers of the mother-plant. Dr.
Moore was one of the first to attempt, and success-
fully, to effect a cross between the species of this
interesting genus.

— Hoopeb's Gabdeniko Guidb is the out-
come of their business catalogue. It is, in
fact, a selection from the descriptive and
cultural matter, arranged alphabetically and pro-
fusely illustrated, and in this form makes a handy
and useful reference-book for amateurs. Kitchen-
garden subjects are separately treated, and in
greater detail than flowers. There is also a calen-
dar of garden operations.

— JfeB National Bose Society this year
offers liberal prizes at the two shows, to be held
at the Crystal Palace and at Manchester. The
former is to take place on June 29, the latter on
July 6. The priase schedules can be obtained on
application to the Hon. Secretaries — Rev. H. H.
D'Ombrain and B. Mawley, Esq. The committee
anticipate a far more brilliant show than last year.
** With the finest building in the world for ezhiUtion

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[JCITB,

pnrpoflefi, with space and light suffioietit for the
extremest reqniremeDts, with Boee-caltare brought
to its present state of perfection, and with the most
liberal and varied Rose schedule ever issued, they
belieye that the Rose Show to be held at the Crystal
Palace on June 29 will be the grandest ever held.
A second schedule is also issued, the claims of the
North (in order to make the Society truly a National
one) having been taken into consideration."

— Q^HE new white-edged Seedling Aubicula
shown by Mr. Douglas at the recent show at
the Crystal Palace, and to which a Fint-class

Certificate was awarded by the judges, has sub-
sequently been named Silvia, Mr. Douglas had
already an Alpine Auricula certificated last year, to
which the same name was given.

— ^BSSBS. G. Jackman and Son's exhibi-
tion of early-flowering Clematises has takenplace
doling the past month, at the Crystal Palace.
Though scarcely up to the high standard of excellence
attained in previous exhibitions, the display was a
striking one. The exhibition was held in the carriage
department — not a very good position — and was
composed of two large sloping banks of plants,
the pale-coloured flowers of the Clematis being
relieved by high-coloured Rhododendrons, and the
front line effectively formed of Eaonymns radicans
yariegata. The sorts which have been most
attractive this year were Maiden's Blush, Fair
Rosamond, the Queen, Blue Gem, Mrs. S. C. Baker,
Edith Jackman, Sir Gkimet Wolseley, Aureliana,
Vesta, Albert Victor, Staudishii, Mrs. Bateman,
Lady Londesborough, Bobert Hanbury, Stella, and
the two double forms, Lucy Lemoine and Countess
of LoYclaoe.

— 2[t the Pabis Exhibition of 1878,
London is worthily represented by Messrs.
Carter and Co., in all that pertains to agricul-
ture. Their display extends upwards of 100 ft. in
length, and contains some thousands of glass cases,
containing distinct varieties of the most popular
kinds of seeds for farms and gardens. The classi-
fication of these seeds is in accordance with the
French system, and each glass case bears in con-
spicuous type the name of the variety, also printed
in French. A novel feature is a group of the most
popular kinds of peas in use for the French and
English market. The specimens have been care-
fully dried and preserved, and show the height to
which the variety grows, and the size attained by
the pods ; there is also a row of the dried peas, by
which a true variety may be identified.

— a THiBD edition of Henfbet's Ele-
MBNTABT CouBSE OF BoTANT (Van Voorst) has
jost been issued. It is edited by Dr. Masters,
and in many parts has been so thoroughly revised,
or in fact, rewritten, to keep pace with our rapidly
advancing knowledge, that it virtually becomes a
new book. This especially applies to the portions
devoted to Vegetable Physiology, in which the
writings of Sachs, Van Tieghem, Duchartre, De-
h^ndn, Boussingault, Darwin, Tr^ul, Pfeffer, Jane-
sewski, Corenwinder, Lawes and Gilbert, McNab^
Vesque, Bauwenhoff, Warming, and others have been
conralted. The Morphological chapters have been
also recast, and in the systematic portion the
arrangement of Bentham and Hooker, so far as it
extends, has been followed. The section relating
\o Cryptogams has been entirely rewritten, by Mr,

G. Murray, of the British Museum. In consequence
of this advanced information, the present work
must be regarded as the best of the modern text-
books.

— ®HB Double-Plowebed Cinerarias

from Messrs. Haage and Schmidt, of Erfart,

are exceedingly promising. The plants are of

dwarf compact habit, vigorous and abundantly Hon-
ferous, and the individual blossoms fully double,
some of the larger flowers fully li in. across. When
they can be depended on to come true from seed,
they will be most valuable for decoration, as well as
for cutting. The colours take in all the ordinary
tints met with amongst the single varieties.

— JBb. T. Thomson, F.B.S., died on April

18. He was bom at Glasgow, in 1817, and

after graduating there as Doctor of Medicine,

entered the medical service of the East India Com*
pany. In 1847 he was appointed to accompany a
mission which was dispatched across the Himalayas
to Tibet ; and in 1849 he joined Dr. Hooker at
Darjeeling, whence in the following year they pro-
ceeded to Khasia, and subsequently to Silhet and
Cachar, descending the Bay of Bengal to Chittegong,
the Sunderbunds and Calcutta, whence they em-
barked for England. Dr. Thomson returned to
India, to take charge of the Calcutta Botanic
Chirden, and remained there a few years, but came
home in broken health, and of late years his labonrs
connected with publications on the Flora of India
have been much relaxed. His amiability endeared
him to those who knew him.

— ^B. John Dobson, of the Woodlands
Nursery, Isleworth, died at Hounslow on May
8, at the comparatively early age of 46, after a
severe illness. He was senior partner of the firm
of Dobson and Sons, and had been a florist from
childhood, having been a helper with his father at a
time when the name of Dobson stood high at exhi-
bitions of Pelargoniums. He leaves a wife and

. rather numerous family to mourn his loss.

— ^BOFESSOB VisiANi died dn May 4. He
was born at 8ebenico, in Dalmatia, in 1800,
and has for many yeara been the Professor of
Botany and Director of the remarkable Botanic
Garden of Padua.

— ^B. William Hill, gardener at Keele
Hall, Newcastle, Staffordshire, died May 9.
Mr. Hill was well known amongst his contem-
poraries as a most successfal cultivator and exhibitor
of Grapes, his training having been carried on in
such schools as Caen Wood, Chiswick, Trentham,
and Nuneham. He was appointed to Keele Hall in
1850, and his employer, Balph Sneyd, Esq., being
anxious to have good grapes, this fruit received his
special attention, and for many years Keele was
never without grapes all the year round. He was a
very successful exhibitor, and won sixty-one first
prizes at the various London shows during the ten
years from 1853 to 1863. Mr. Hill was not only a
good grape-grower, but a thoroughly good gardener,
and will be much regretted by a wide circle of pro-
fessional friends.

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Lilv Mrs. Anthony^ Walerep.

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1878.]

LILT MBS. ANTHONY WATEBBB.

1)7

LILY MRS. ANTHONY WATERER.

[Plate 470.]

UB figure of this beaatif al variety, vrlidck
is probably the first well-autbenticated
bybrid Lily, was made from plants
growing in tbe nursery of Mr. Antbony
Watorer, at Knap Hill, Surrey. It is a bybrid
produced by L, specioBum ruh'um fertilised by
Z. auratum^ and as will be seen, is of tbe
speciosum type, but wilb sufficient evidence of
tbe influence of its pollen parent. Tbe babit
is tbat of L, speciosum^ and Uie flowers are of
large size, pure wbite, nobly spotted witb
crimson. The bybrid was raised by Mr. G.
Tbomson, tben living as gardener at Stansted
Park, Emswortb, Hants, now Garden Sc^r-
intendent at tbe Crystal Palace, wbo bas
obligingly f tumisbed tbe following particulars
of its history :—

'^ In 1867 I first flowered Lilium auratum^
and with pollen taken from its flowers I fer-
tilised those on a plant of Lilium specioswn
nihrum. Only one seed-bearing pod was ob-
tained, and this contained but few seeds, which
were sown in a pan, and kept in a cold frame.
At this distance of time I cannot state exactly
how long the seeds were in germinating, but
my impression is that nice little bulbs were
formed by the spring of tbe following year, one
of tbese being tne hybrid Lily Mbb. Anthont
Watebsb.

(^This Lily has had an eventful life. The
first nusfortnne which befell it was during its
first resting, period, when the pan oontaining it
was, by inadvertence, emptied out under the
potUng-bench, the result being the loss of most
of tbe seedlings. It came into flower in July,
1870, and was exhibited before the Floral
Oommitiee at Kensington, where it was awarded
a Rrst-class Certificate, under the name of
Purity, I may here mention a quality which
I considered this Lily to possess above all
others, and which, I believe, it still retains—
namely, endurance. It was in flower for three
or four days before it was cut and sent to
London ; from the time I sent it until I received
it bade a week elapsed, and it was kept in
water for tome days after that. I understood
Mr. Anthony Waterer to say that it was with
him more enduring than any Lily he knew,
which quite accords with my experience.

^Betuming to the history of the hybrid^ I
may mention that I left Stansted Park soon
after havinff flowered it, and it was then placed
in the han& of a London nurseryman to keep
for me; but unfortunately, in the anxiety to
make more of it, it was as nearly lost as possible.
When I iris appointed to the superintendeuce
Ko. 7. nmsBiAL sebibs.— i.

of the Gardens at Uie Crystal Palace, I asked
to have it back, when I again flowered it.
Knowing, as I then did, how successful Mr. A.
Waterer was in cultivating the Lilium auratum
in ihe qpen ground, and beHeving tbat to be
the only way to grow these Lilies, with a view
to reproduction, I was glad to have the oppor-
tunity of placing it under his care, and the
result has been that, after many vicissitudes,
ihe first authenticated Lily Hybrid has found
a good home, where it will soon be grown in
quantity sufficient to warrant its being offered
to tbe public — a fit companion for the gorgeous
Lilium Parkmanni.

'^With the introduction and flowering of
Lilium auratum in 1862, we seem to have
entered on a new era in the history of Lilies.
The L, speciomim^ till then the finest Lily known,
.became eclipsed by the greater beauty of L.
auratum, which is now so extensively grown
and so well known that little need be said of it,
further than to mention that what was then
predicted of it has been far more than realised,
and instead of its growing 4 ft. high, with from
four to five flowers on a stem, it has been
grown 8 ft. to 10 ft. high, or even more, and
in some instances single stems have borne fifty,
sixty, or even seventy flowers.

'^ Perhaps no plant has been imported into
this country in greater quantities than this
Lily, which sufficiently shows the high estima-
tion in which it has been held. I believe this
fact also shows ihat for a long time its culti-
vation was misunderstood ; indeed, I imagine
that many thousands are lost annually, because
growers will persist in drjring-off the bulbs.
Now, it is one thing to rest a plant, and quite
another thing to dry it off, as it is called. I
bettenre tbat the roots of Lilies are always
active when in tbe ground, storing up nourish-
ment for the following season. Therefore I
consider that the bulbs should never be allowed
to get dry, even when grown in pots. I main-
tain also that if larger pots are required, the
bulbs should be repotted very soon after tiiey
have flowered — at any rate, before the stems
are ripe enough to be cut off.

^ A good soil for Lilies consists of flbrous
peat in a rough state, turfy loam, well rotted
manure, and a good mixture of sharp sand. If
grown in pots, these should be well drained.
The bulbs should be placed rather deep, as tbe
tendency is to produce roots on the stem above
tbe bulb. The best place for tbe pots during
winter is on a bed of coal-ashes, and plunged
in the same material. When they begin to
grow in spring, they may be removed into a
cold pit, or left in the same place, simply re-
moving some of the ashes, to aUow of their free
growth. This treatment will not quite apply

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THB IliOBIST AMD POXOLOOI0T.

[JCIY,

to the L, auratim^ for ^t]ioii(^ VbfiH ar« 9fiA
to be quite hardy, they are hardy only in the
same sense and to the same degree as many
rery common plants, notably the ooiamoa
BrsJce, which is indeed quite hardy, bat rery
often suffers from late spring frosts. It is there*
fore necessary, either in p<^b*oaltare or in the
open air, to guard against rating frosts as soon
as the young stems begin to appear abaf« the
soil. — G. Thomson, Crystal Palace^ Sydenham.^

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE

PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS'

FLOWERS.— IV.

)N my former letters, I have been occupied
in the comparajiiyely easy t«sk of criti-
cising the objections made by others. I
now come to the more haaardona one of bnild-
ing up a system myself, and giring the objec-
tors an opportunity of treating me as I hare
treated them ; and in truth, I invite, or rather
request, them to do so. That there is a scien-
tific system at the bottom of the ordinary
estimates of flowers, I have long been convinced ;
and if I do not succeed in developing it, the
fault will be in these papers, which, therefore,
I should wish to be found fault with, because
there is now an ample sufficiency of facts
accumulated for the science of Floriculture to
be thence ascertained, and to take its place
with other established systems. It is time for
some one to do it, if I should fail.

^^ I proceed, therefore, to point out more par-
.ticularly my view of the scientific principles on
, which the general agreement among florists, i^
what should be considered points of exoeUenoe
in their flowers, is based< After which,^ I pur-
pose to apply those principles to some of the
flowers, as a specimen of what is required
in all for an acknowledged standard, to be
-referred to both by growers and judges;
premising, however, that I have not the arrog-
ance to propose this essay as such a standard ;
nor could it be, for the principles themselves
must first be sifted by criticism, both friendly
and unfriendly, until some principles are estab-
lished and recognised, and not till then can
such a manual be c(»BQ|>iled. But this may
serve as a first attempt towards it, to attract
others into the same path, in order to weed
out what is unsound, to prune what is amiss,
and to supply what is wanting. It will also
serve to show that there are defined and certain
boundaries, within whieh are cofined respec-
tively the province of scienoe^ within which
there will always be agreement, and t^ie pro-
vince of taste, which admits of in^te diversity.
'•'• And I am ple^ised at seeing the increase of
instances of persons conversant with the details
of such i^atters, and who yjKbMj have not

innud their attention to the modes by which
their judgments have been influenced, feeling
their way intelligibly and successfully to the
iwy points which reasoning will demonstrate
to be the true points of ideal excellence. Mr.
Kendall has, in the Florist, [1849, p. 131]
given us the properties of a good Cineraria ;
and as far as he has gone, if he had studied
Aristotle and the Metaphysicians, he could not
have done it better. His guide probably was
the experience of a practised and interested
eye. It will be the province of these Essays
to show by reason that he is right in every
particular.

*' The end proposed by the Creator in the
arrangement and colours of the petals of a
flower is that which is pleasant to the eye, and
the two means by which this is produced are
form and colour.

" Form is available in two respects, — absolute,
or diieet^ which is sooght for its own sake, in
that some forms are in their nature more
pleasing than others, as a curTe is nu>re
graceful than a straight line, and ^ome
curves than others ; and relative^ or indirect,
which is subsidiary to some other purposes, in
that some forms are better suited than others
to set off colours to advantage, as a smooth
petal exhibits its markings more perfectly than
a wrinkled one can.

" Colour is simply for its own sake ; but it
produces its effect in two ways — by contrast^ as
in painting light ^appears to be thrown upon
any point by placing a shadow beside it ; and
by combination, as purple unites harmoniously
with either of its constituent elements, red or
blue, while green will hardly unite with 'Any
other. Combination, moreover, may take plaeft
in three ways; where each is preserved, as
when one oolour shades off imperoeptibly into
another ; where distinctness begins to be lost
•by partial fusion, as in the clouded colours ;
and where the separate elements blend into an
uniform new tint, as in the endless diversity of
compound colours.

^ These are the few and elementary principles
on which, with the latitude to be allowed for
iastes, which will be deflned hereafter, depends
the effect of any flower in pleasing the eye.
And it will be found that these principles are
strictly scientific, and reducible to rules capable
<^ application to each species of flower, so as
to detenmne, in a great and ascertainable
measure, the value of any variety of each
species.

^' And in fact, it is because there is so much
of soientifio rule, founded in nature, in the
mixsuits of florists, that there has been ihat
large ansount of agreement among them,
wi^lx we flttd to have obtained in a maltet
^hioh is vulgarly bd&vred to be a Biere «iatter
o£ indtfidnal tasitand caprice.

^ Form oridiape ist th^ figure QOttiainsd l^ 1^

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1S73.]

THE PmLOSOPHY OF PL0RIBT8 FLOWERS — IV.

liiaitinj; outline. And it is ibd outliad which
lor the most part suggests to the mind the
idea represented by the figure, as has been de«
monstrated by Betsch, in his celebrated illustra-
tions of the Qerman and English poets.

^^ An outline may be either genei^al^ of the
whole flower under consideration, as the cup ol
a Tulip; or subordinate^ as being contained
with others within the general outline, as that
of the blotch in the petal of a Pelargonium.
This distinction it is necessary to enlarge upon,
because, in judging of excellences or defects,
what in the former would be a fault, in the
latter would be a beauty. The two kinds of
outline, haying different ofBces to fulfil, reqpdre
different properties for their perfection.

"For subordinate outlines, being always
appended to, and controlled by, the leading
idea of the whole flower, admit, with manifest
advantage, departures from perfect forms,
which would be iotolerable in the general one*
Thus the eye of a Pansy, if clear, and not con-
fused, is striking in proportion as it is made up
of bold dashes and abrupt contrasts, presenting
an uneven outline, which, if found in the
flower which contains the eye, would condemn
it to the dunghill.

^' These and other similar instances, present-
ing at first a difficulty to reconcile them with raid
and reduce them to order, are, in fact, no ex-
ceptions. They are examples of what our
experience in everything is full of, that as in
the material world every particle of matter is
under the influence of an infinity of attractions
on every side, the amount of each of which is
nevertheless subject to an invariable law, and
therefore the indination of the particle towards
any is reducible to the strictest scientific iiH
vesiagation ; so, in the intellectual world, what
are commonly supposed to be exceptions^ are,
in reality, only instances of the things coming
within the superior influence of some other
rule. Every rule is paramount in its ownlittle^
eircle, but that ciidie is in every case very
BrntHf beoanse tksnre are <^h0t rules on the
itfbjeot which have an equal olaim to be
obeyed in their place, the interfering influences
of which must have their due weight allowed
to them.

^It is il great mistake, and dishonourable to
Ooi, m wdl m to Gurselvet, uidolently to rest
i^tiittMl with daUing so many things ^ex-
ceptions^' as we are in the habit of doing. An
exception is, for the mdst part, only an expres-
tiotL of otir ignorance. Beal exddptions are
Wtdi rater th^ they ard Supposed to be. Our
itbwte imtm made for order ; and however oor
hfclrite may seon to eontradiet tho a0Serti<»i,
il^ia still a fact bearing evidence of our high
original and destination iliat. disorder is tin-
ismtfil to ttflf. And thiit m§y be ii^n, hoi only
Mr O^amhi f^erendfr alwa^ H^ iBet0 1^-
Mk fimfim % iBcie&tifif«tt^ peifeot lo^cis» but

ako in the mode in which we unconsciously
form our judgments of them. ThuH, in ex-
amining a flower, we may not be. aware of ^he
fact, but it is not the less true, that we proceed
according to strict rule and method. First, we
obtain a leading idea, excited by the whole, as
made up of and containing its parts. Next, we
b^n to separate those parts into their respec-
tive groups I and as our examination is extended
or repeated, subdividing those again into their
more elemental^ units. And as we become
more familiar, and better acquainted with the
object of examination, this process is reviewed
and altered, and the divisions and subdivisions
recast into other groupings, arising out of, or
suggesting, new and ''^ther ideas. So that we
may often perceive, as wer contemplate a flower,
new ideas and associations arising in our minds,
and actually, as it w^re, changing its appear-
ance in our eyes, and alt^Qg our judgment of
it. Hence^ an ettended' familiarity with any
flower is necessary before its characteristic
points will be disdovered, i^d its most natural
diviaons and peculiarities- definitely settled.
But when this process hlwl been sufficiently
gone through, the judgment WiSD, in most cases,
be found to be in accordance with nature, and
will be generally acquiesced iUi And a much
earlier and more "^ perfect agreement may be
expected when the natural principles, in accord-
ance with which our preferences ^e formed,
are known and understood. v

•* There is, then, always one leading idea sug-
gested by any flower, controlled by Sie general
outline of its form, and the dispo^tion of its
prmcipal parts. This is the characteristic of
tho flower, to which aH its other properties
mwst be subservient. It is not always easy to
express in words what t&is idea is, though when
there hi some other thing with which we are
familiar to serve as an illustration, there is no
difficulty. Thus the idea of a Tulip is a
fiaivted onp, and that of a Dahlia or a Banun-
culus is a variegated rosette.

^^ And as the general outline takes the lead
hh the trnpresBion produoed by' the flower, a
defeetive foroa in it cannot be eompenait^,
because there is nothing of equal value, by a
counter-excellence in which it might be
balan<sed. If, -therefore, that outline be not
full and gracefttl, the flower must ne^dtf Ito
{aii%. 8oc& is the native Pansy, and there-
fore its stiprOVMEnont depended on first bring-
ing its aeneral form into what it may npyr.^e
said to nave obtmn^, a near resemblance 16 &
circle. The Cineraria is still defective in ftift,
horn He outKne o6*sisting of points^^ Afid
tbeveiove M improrement, on Uhe s^potftton
of Vf^ oontiBi^nj^ a sis^e flower, flxst demands

[• Since this wm wtttten, thtf jeneral o«tVn« Qf *•
widMlag And roAdtes of Ui« tMi^ddn^ r«7 ft^U ; V^ tbo

widtalag And roiibdteg of Ui« ta4i2cldnAl r*7 f^

H 2

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100

THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIBT.

[July,

the rounding-off of its petals. Whether it would
be improved if rendered doable is a question,
on the solution of which something will be

said when treating of the principle of Variety.
And thus much in the outset concerning oat*
lines, general and subordinate. — Iota."

ANTHUBIUM VKITCHII (M« Also p. 102).

NEW ANTHURIUMS.
CTjDN the Anthtirivm family we have a large
%? number of interesting plants, some of
^^^ which take the first rank amongst flower-
ing plants, and some an equal]j high position
smODgii what are called foliage-plantsr They
are all tropical, requiring store-heat, which is,
pexhapf, their greatest drawback. Passing by
the ordinary types of the genus, as well as the
ornamental floriferous ones, we propose now to
notice two very distinct and effective members
of the fine*f oliaged group, for illustratioBs of
which W8 have to thank Me«r8. Veitch andSoIU^
of Ohelsea, bearing the names of Antkurium
Veitchii and Antkurkun Waroequeamsm4
Anihurium Veitchii is a Tery remarkable

plant, and at once arrests the eye by its smgs-
lar structure. The outline of theleaf ispeooHar
from its elongated form, but what is more
striking is the bullate surface, which is so de-
veloped as to appear to be transversely conra-
gated. The phuit has a stoutish root-stock,
from which spring up several leaf-stalks l^fi to
2 ft. long, from the top of which the leaf-bltde
is deflexed. They are of an ovate-oblong fonn,
greatly elongated, so that the points reaoh to
the base of the stalk, deeply cordate whm \h0j
join the petiole, and ending in an aouminftto
apex. The full-grown leaves reach 2 ft. to 8 ft.
long, with a breadtli of less than one-third
the length. They are of a coriaceous teztotf,
deep green in colour, [with a glossy >b«^^

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THE PELABGONIUX 80GISTT.

101

•mrfaee while young, becoming paler in age, the
principal dde-nerves lying in parallel curves
and deeply sunk, so that the leaf-surface appears

of its distinct form and fine tone of colour. I^
waa imported from New Grenada, where it was
discovered by Mr. Wallis, and has been dedi*

Ahthurium Wabooqusahitm (Me »lto p. 103.)

to be puffed up between them. This peculiar
oonrngation is very effective. The spatiie is
white :aad oblong, but it is as a foliage-plant
that it will be prized. Messrs. Veitch im-
ported it from Columbia, through Mr. Wallis,
and Mr. 3ull received it from the same oountry
through his collector, Mr. Oarder.

Anthurium Warocqueanum^ it will be seen, is
of rimilar habit to A, Veitchii^ and Jias leaves
tf a aiinilar form, but plain instead of oorru«*
gated. The leaves grow from 2 fi to 2} ft
long, and from 7 in. to 8in. wide, and are of a
ASb. deep green colour, with a fine velvety
Imtre, on which the pole-coloured coeta and
vmhs are displayed to great advantage. It is
i noble lubjeot, and will be welcomed by the
eolttrator of plants with fine foliage, on account

cated to M. Warocque, an eminent Belgian
amateur.

Both these plants have received, and well
deserved, the award of a Certificate of Merit
from the Boyal Horticultural and the Boyal
Botanic Sodeties. — T. Moobb.

THE PELAEGONIUM SOCIETY.

^HIS Society held its fourth annual ezhi»
bition on June 18, in the Boyal Horti-
cultural (harden at South Eennngton,
in conjunction with the summer show of
Bosea The primary object of this special
Sodety is to improve the piesent races of
Pelaigoniums,. and to encourage the production
of new races, and by means of exhibitioBs to

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102

THB FLOBIST AXTD P0M0L0GI8T.

[July,

revive and foster that spiiit of emulaiioii in ttie
^bdaoticm of novelties, and tke culture cH
Bpeeinton plants, which was more evident a few
years since than now.

The Show was, on the whole, successful,
most of the principal classes bring fairly filled
up, though the exhibits wer« ape^uali and the
competition in the case of ibd B«w iyjfH^ the
varieties not in commerce, Ues full tbap e^d
have been desired, since this is one special fei^ture

Show Pslabgoniums, 6 yavietlMi Ist^ Vr.
James, gardener to W. F. WaUon, lisa,, {sltwof^
a fine group, admirably bloomed, fresh, evev, laA
of rare qaality, consiBting of Jnditli, Szample,
Magnificent, Saperb, Isabella, and Scottish Cloef-
tain, a very telling selection of this race of varieties,
which are, af ter sB, Indispensable, and unapproached
fiSf wflj sammer oonservatory decoration. 2nd,
Jtr.*Weir, garde n«P to Mrs. Hodgson, Hampstend.—
6 varieties, noi in commerce: let, £. B. Foster,
Slt|., Clewer Ma^ri who showed some remaricably
ine pew varieties,— -Dauntless, salmon-pink lower
petals tinted with orange, and with slight dark lines,
dark top petals, with margin of fiery crimson;

LXir OP AHTBCBIUX ViRoni.

it if the Sooietjr^ object to encourage. The
ungenial weather, it may fairly be presumed,
had pr^sdnted difficulties which in some cases
were lnsurmouutal>le. Some grand spepimen
flants were, lioweverj shown by 5ir. . Janies^
aii.d Mr. batliiv, and a most' interesting^coUectioji
of hidf-specimens of show Felargo^iums/illus-
trktingthe novelties of the past few yean, came
from Mr. Turuer. The following were the
chief awards in&cle in the several classes :— '

LlAP er AUTHUEIUM WiaOCQUalHUH.

Symnrietry^ orange-salmon lower petals, with Bli|[ht
blotch OB eaoh, luge dark top petals and bold white
throat) Tery fine; Gladiator, brilliant orsQflt
carmine, an exceedingly fine hue of colour, veiy
dark bl6toh en top petals, and white throati eikra
fipe j Invincible^ oragge-oarmine lower petalSi with
heavy dark nenoillings, dark top petals ; MarmioQ»
orange-pink lower fietals, dark top petali^ large and »
^zefUent tgrtui a»d another of et^^sUy iae eh^nP^f*
— rl variety, not in commerce ; {st, Mr. Tomer, trao
^owed Bertie, a beantif nl flower, of fine form ai^
sabvtM^c^ with ro^-iN^k low^r pietaU )pM9M[^
clark lines, rich dark top petal% and White throat,
a large bold flower. • -

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THB BOYAL MATIOKIL TUUF BOCOBTT.

103

Fakcy P Aaiumniumb, 6 yarietiei : lat, Mr. James,
who staged some verj fine examples^ ayeiagmg 8 ft.
to 3^ ft. in diameter, finelj grown and admirablj
flowered, the varieties being Mrs. Hart) Mrs.
Qraham, Mrs. Alfred Wigan, Morella, llie Shah,
verj fine, and Princess Teck. 2nd, Mr. Weir. —
4 varieties, not in commerce : Ist, Mr. C. Tnmer,
Eoyal Nursery, Slongh, who staged some very pro-
mising new varieties, viz., Insolaire, lower petals
stained purple on a pale ground, chestnut-maroon
upper petals, and bold white throat, very fine and
distinct ; Thurio» deep reddish-cerise, dashed with
purple, and lai^ white throat; Placida, large
purplish-rose flowers, each petal having a wire-edge
of white, flowers of great size and first quality, dis-
tinct and good; and Jannette> violet-roae lower
petals, chestnut-maroon top petals, large white
throat, very fine.

Dkcobativb Pslabookiums, 18 varietieBt 1st,
Messrs. J. and J. Hayes, Lower Edmonton, who
showed Duchess of Bedford, Queen Victoria,
Princess Helena^ Digby Grand, Pr^ce of Onaige,
Roaetta, Prince of Wales, Bridai Bouquet, Magenta
Queen, Prince of Pelargoniums, Dr.'Masters, Alice,
Duchess of Edinburgh, Baltic, Caplain Eaikes, La
Patrie, Lord Derby, and Trinmphana~a very
attractive and well selected lot, adapted to serve
the purpose of decorative plantB. There was no
other competitor in this class, while in that for 18
varietiee of the same character there was no com-
petition.. — 4 varieties, not in eommeroe : 1st) Messrs.
J. and X Hayes, with Le Grand, Snltuia, Prince of
Orange, and Magenta Queen, all bright and taking
fbrms. These classes aflBorded the market growers
a good pppdrtunky of showii|g what beamtifnl plants
they can produce in a.5-in. pot, and it is much to
be regretted there were not more competitors.

ZoKAL ^zLABGONiuMs, 9 vatiotleB, fioristfl* dafs :
Ist, Mr. Catlin, gardener to Mrs. Lermitte, I^chley,
whose plants were most admirably grown, averaging
8ft. in diameter, and freely flowered i th^ consistad
of Agnes Emily (Catlin), Laura (Pearson), a very
fine s^mon,; Bemus (Fostans), CEnone (Denny), a
very bright pale scarlet ; Miss Straohan (Pearson),
•4Aep, oalmcm, very goodf Titania (D«my), Maud
(Pearson), and Heathy Bell (Denny), a charming
pink.^^^ varieties, florists' class, not m commerce :
Ifty ;i>r. Pepny, ^to)^e Newhagton, witb finely
blopmed and well-grown examples of the following
seedliiigB of his own raising : — Correggio, deep cerise
dashed with violet, large bold pips of fine shape ;
Sunbeam, rich orange-scarlet, perfect form, and very
striking; Manfred, very bright pale soft scarlet,
a soft and striking shade <S colour, a flower of
.greitt jrefine«ient and exquisite f orm i Ooida,
doep purplish-cerise, fine pips ; Dimte, violet-pink,
ft fine glow of bdoar ; and Madonna, pale bright pink,
fine stout well-formed pip. 2nd, Mr. J. B. Pearson,
Chilwell Kurseries, Nottingham, with unnamed
seSsdlings Uuddng the finish of the f oref^ng* This is
always a most interesting class, as it affords the
faisers an opportunity to put forth their powers. —
^ varieties, decorative class : Ist, Mr. Catlin, with
some grand and most effective specimens, the
finest group in the show, consisting of large
and well-grown examples of Mrs. Turner, Colonel
Wright, Mrs, Hni^ Charles Borrows, Bev. A.
Atkinson, Eebecca, Lucy Bosworth, Thomas
Adams, and John Gibbons. 2nd, Mr. Weir.^-i
varieties, decorative class, not in commerce: Ist,
Mr. Catlin, who showed Kancy Lee, ^anny CaUin,
and Edith Mary; all sahnons, and Join Tullett, light
S(Mtflet> apparently all. of a vigorous growth, and
with large crowded trusses. — 18 varieties, in C-inoh
poCs : Ist) Mr. Catlin, with feather Bell, Mrs. Pear-
kMf 7<4ii' Qil^xnis, .Dorothea) Kdy. A. AtUaton,

Titania, very fine i Lizzie Brpoks,^ fine ; CliO) Lady
Eva CampbeU, a very distinct salmon; Gnome,
Majestic, Lady Byron, and Ophelia. 8rd, Mr. J.
Weir.— 18 variegated: 1st, Mr. Meadmore, Eomford ;
2nd, Mr. Burley, Brentwood. Both collections were
indifferently ([coloured. — 8 double-flowered, new dwarf
type t Ist, Mr« Catlin, the sorts being Louis Buchner
(Sisley), salmon ; Eugene Bandouin, pink ; Sylpliidc
(Sisley), rose; Jacobsea, scarlet; Henri Buerier,
salmon; Noemie, rose; Madame Am^lie Baltet,
white; and Wonderful, scarlet; they were neat
plants, rather small, but fairly bloomed. 2nd, Mr.
Meadmore. — 4 double-flowered, dwarf, not in com-
merce : 1st, Mr. J. B. Pearson, for unnamed seedlings
of no conspicuous merit. — None of the classes for one
zonal variety not in commerce brought out anything
worthy of an awaid, except that for the dwarf
double-flowered, in which Mr. H. Cannell, Swanley,
took a 1st prize, for one named Jules Simon.

IVT'LIAVCD Pelabgoniums, 8 hybrid varieties:
2nd, Mr. J. George, Putney Heath, in whoso group
were St. George, Gem, Progress, Argus, Nemesis,
Diadem, and DticheoB of Edinburgh. — 4 hybrid
varieties, not in commerce : 1st, M. Victor Lemoine,
Nancj; the varieties were A. F. Barron, Mdlle.
Emilff Galltf, Mdlle. Adrienne Barat, and Madame
Perle, all very good. — ^The best hybrid Ivy -leaf not.
In commerce came from M. Jean Sisley, of Lyons,
and was named La France ; -it was quite nosegay-
flowered, pinkish salmon in colour, tinted with
Crange in the young fiowerS) and was both distinct
and good. A grand lot of Ivy.-leaved varieties was
sent up from the Chiswiok Gardens, where Mr.
Barron has grown them most successfully.

Out-Flowbm^ 24 show varieties : Ist, Mr. C.
Turner, who made a good display. The best were
Maid oi £[onour. Despot, Bertie, Forester, Isabella,
Victory, Sovereign, very fine in colour; Exile,
Goliath) Crusader, Covenanter, &c.— 24 zonal varie-
ties : 1st, Mr. H. Cannell, the most striking being
Bobert Buma Livingstone^ Colonel Seeley, Tom
Bowling, Lady Sheffield, Mrs. Newdegate, Dr.
Denny, Mrs. Whiteley, Astarte, Amazon, and
Jealousy, ^id. Mr. Burley.— 24 double-flowered:
Ist, Mr. CannelL The best were Victor Lemoine,
J. C. Bodbard, Littre, Cremona, Louis Buchner,
Bug^e Bandouin, Ac. Mr. Cannell had also cut
blooms of New Life and other newer varieties.

The show was greatly helped by the large and
excellent collection of Pelargoniums brought up
from Chiswiok i by Mr. Turner's specimens of the
newer show kinds, which are being grown on into
size for exhibition; and by a fine collection of de-
corative Pelargoniums from Mr. A. Brown, of
Hendon, perfect in every respect as market
specimens.— M.

THE ROYAL NATIONAL TULIP
SOCIETY.

S)HE annual exhibition of this Society,
(»iginally announced for Jane 1, was
held a week earlier, May 25, in con-
sequenoe of the Uooms having reached the
show condition sooner than was antioipated.
The show was held at the gardens of the Eoyal
Botanical and Hortictdtnral Society of Man-
chester, at Old Trafford. As an exhibition. It
fell condderaUy short of last yeax^s proportions,
owxim^t in part| to the inQlement character of

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TH£ FLORIST Ain> 70M0L06TOT.

[Jn.T,

the spring of 1877, which so weakened many
of the bulbs that they had not yigour enough
to produce flowers at all true to chaimcter ; and
in part, to the violent winds and drenching
rains of the present spring, which spoilt many
flowers that had promised well, the heavy
drops of rain which fell on the canvas screens
being forced through in the form of a fine
spray, which, falling on the flowers, produced
blemishes fatal to their chance on the exhi-
bition-table.

The leading flowers of the show were un-
questionably Dr. Hardy and Sir Joseph Pazton,
flamed bizarres, the colour and markings of the
former being especially noticeable. Talisman
bybloemen, both feathered and flamed, was in
fine character; and so was Adonis, flamed
bybloemen, which was exceedingly fine in shape.
The following list represents the best of the
flowers produced :—

Flamed Rosea : Annie McGregor, very fine's Lady
Sefton, Mabel, and Triompbe Boyale.

Feathered Rosea: Nanoy GKbson (Hepworth),
very fine ; Modesty, Charmer, Industry, Mrs. Lea,
and Heroine.

Feathered Bybloemens : Bessie, Adonis, Mrs.
Cooper, Martin's 101, and Mrs. Pickerell.

Flamed Byhlcemens : Adonis^ Talisman, Friar
Tack, Salvator Boea, and Constancy.

Feathered Bigarres ; John Morris, very strong in
colour ; Masterpiece, and Demosthenes.

Flamed Bizarres : Sir J. Pazton, Dr. Hardy, and
Ajax.

Breeders : These were, on the whole, very fine,
especially Mrs. Barlow, Olivia, and Annie McGregor,
in the rose section.

The flowers shown in the leading classes are
mentioned below ; the blue ribbon of the
show, the Silver Cup for the best twelve dis-
similar Tulips, two feathered and two flamed
in each class, being won by Mr. William Whit-
taker, of Salford :—

12 Tulips, two feathered and two flamed in oaoh
class.— 1st, Mr. W. Whittaker, wiUi Talisman and
Adonis, flamed, and Bessie and Adonis, feathered
bybloemens; Ajaz and Sir J. Paxton,flamed, and John
MonHb and MiuBterpiece, feathered bisarres i Mabel
and Lady Sefton, flamed, and Hepworth's Nancy
Gibson and Mrs. Lea, feathered roses. 2nd, Mr.
David Barber, Staonton-le-Dale, Srd, Mr. T. Mellor,
Ashton-nnder-Lyne.

6 Tulips, one feathered and one flamed in each
class.— Ist, Mr. Thomas Haynes, Leamington, with
Sir J. Paxton, both feathered and flamed, bizarre ;
Mrs. Piokerell, feathered, and Talisman, flamed
bjblosmens; Heroine, feathered, and Ciroe, flamed
roses. 2nd, Mr. Whittaker. 8rd, Mr. James Thor-
ston, Wolverhampton.

Bbeeder Tulips. — ^The breeder flowers are
always attractive and interesting objects at a Tolip
show. For 6 : Ist, Mr. Whittaker, with W. Wilson
and Sir J. Pazton, bisarresi Helen Fawoet and
Delicata, bybloemens ; Mabel and Sarah Jane, roses.
2nd, Mr. Thomas Mellor, with Sterer^s SeedUngs,

biiarres ; and Bebeooa and Nerval, seedling fayUoB.
mens; Olivia and Mabel, roses. Srd, Mr. Joi^iia
Hagne. For 3, one of each section: 1st, Mr.
Whittaker, with Sir J. Paxton, bizarres Mabel,rose;
and Delicata, bybloemen. In the class for mn^
blooms of breeders many promising flowers were
shown*

PaiinKB Flowsbs. — ^The premier flamed Tnlqi
was Sir J. Paxton, bizarre, shown by Mr. T. Haynes ;
the best feathered Tolip, Mrs. Pickerell bybkemes,
also from Mr. Haynes ; and the best breeder Tahp,
Helen Fawcet bybloemen, from Mr. W. Whittaker.

We fully endorse the following obeerva*
tions on Tulip shows in general, from a corre-
spondent of the Gardeners* ChrofucU^ who
writes: — ^^^ Notwithstanding that the Tulip
growers get an immense deal of enjoyment out
of their annual show, we can yet express a great
desire to see some improvement from an artistic
point of view. There is a great want of uni-
formity in the shape and size of the stands, and
in their arrangement. The general public
cares but little for Tulips, but they do care
for and like a little artistic effect. Then, again,
it is not an attractive sight to see several
hundred blooms arranged in ginger-beer and
other bottles, of varying patterns. These last
are all huddled up together, in such a manner
that anything like decorative effect is altogether
lost. An improvement is very desirable, and
if only some flowering and foliaged plants
could be introduced among the stands, in order
to break up their monotony of appearance, a
good beginning would be made.** Nothing
could answer this purpose better than Uie
small Palms now grown by thousands all over
the country, and such as Mr. Turner lately
used with such admirable effect in the staging
of his unique collection of Pelaigoniums.— -M.

OUTDOOR CULTURE OF FIGS.

Q|^T is surprising that the culture of the Fig
^ ro in the open air is not more general than
^^ it is. When grown against a wall, the
fruit ripens well in most parts of the oountiy,
and after the trees attain a good size and get
into a bearing state, no crop is more certain, if
the wood be well protected during the winter
months and until all danger from frost is over.
Its culture is very simple. The Fig will
grow in any ordinaiy garden soil, but does best
in one that b neither too wet nor too dry. If
the soil be too wet, it is apt to make coarse,
gross shoots, and if too dry, to drop its fruit
before it ia . ripe. The .principal thing to be

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W78.)

attends' -

'Mittore ©f*

16 to'

>a, orer-ltDCor

gro

pened woor

re sure ai

when theei^

^nlty in ge

w«u two crops of fndt in the
ripens in Angnst and Beptouhei^
.^ on the pnvioQS eeaion's sho
.oond is yielded by the yonngsmv
- and which nurdy ripens in this country,
oung shoots of the current seMon's growth
be well thinned, retaining only tmO^
to fill up the spaces, without cro^dioju — ^
. young shoots must not, on aT
muled close to the wall, as
^ the young Figs to grow to I
m that case mo«t of them wd
H first crop— >that which rif
"^uld Im rery light. By
■D^. N to hang loosely firo9
"^-^^N* • ^'^w - i k i. 50 large \ \

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IW)

USEFUL PI^U1I0.«-*ULAO8 VOU WIVTBB HiOWEBIKO.

105

attended to in ibe oatdoor culture of the Fig
is to prerent its making ooane, oTer-lnxariant
growtiL. Short-jointed, well«ripen6d wood and
moderate vigour of growth are sore accom-
paniments of fmitfnhiess, and when these are
BacQied, there is little diflScnlty in getting
jdenty of froit.

The Fig prodnees two crops of fruit in the
year ; the first ripens in August and September,
and is borne on the psefious season's shoots;
and the second is yielded by the young summer
shoots, and which rardy ripens in this countiy .
The young shoots of the current season's growth
should "be well thinned, retaining only suffi-
cient to fill up the spaces, without crowding.
The young shoots must not, on any account,
be nailed close to the wall, as that would
cause the young Figs to grow to a large size ;
and in that case most of them would drop o£P,
and the first crop— that which ripens the next
season — ^would be Tory light. By allowinff the
young shoots to hang loosely from the wall, the
young Figs will not be so large in size as when
they are nailed closely to the wall, consequently

agreater quantity of embryo Figs remain during
the winter, and the crop of fruit is better.

Early in the autumn, as soon after the fall
of the leaf as possible, the trees should get
what pruning they require. The terminal bud
of erery shoot should be removed ; this causes
a greater number of embryo Figs to grow the
f oUowing season than would be the case when
the tenmnal bud is not removed. The trees
should then be covered for the winter. If
straw or other loose covering be used, the trees
should* be occasionally looked to, as rats are
apt to harbour in it, and will sometimes
seriously bark the trees. In April, when all
danger from frost is over, the trees should be
uncovered, and nailed carefully and neatly to
the wall ; the young Figs will soon begin to
show signs of growth, and will in due time
ripen nicely, and are then a great acquisition to
the dessert.

If I recollect rightly, I think the late Mr.
Bivers advocated the grovrth of Figs as bushes
in gardens, taking the plants up annually with
a ball of earth, and placing them in cellars
until the following spring, when they should
be planted in the places they were removed
from. — ^M, Sauii, SUmrton.

USEFUL

[Platb

DHE Hums here repi^esented are not

chosen for illustration on account of

their novelty, but by reascni of their

utilitarian character. They are Plums which

deserve to be largely grown, and even better

■ known than they are, on account of their

general usefulness.

Diamond (Fig. 1). — ^In this we have one of
the largest and most beautiful of Plums grown,
and (me which is especially valuable for the
exhibition table. The fruit is veiy large, of
long oval shape, and marised with a very dis-
tinct suture. The skin is v^ry dark purple,
abnost black (so that it is sometimes called
Black Diamond), and is covered with a thidc
bloom. The flesh is yellowish, rainier coarse,
but juicy, and of a brisk pleasant flavour,
slightly adherent to the stone. This is a very
excellent Plum for cooking or preserving, and
is much cultivated in some parts. It is a

PLUMS.

471.]

strong grower, and a good cropper. Bipens
in September. Baised by Mr. Hooker, of
Brenchley, in Kent.

BiLGiAN PuBPLB (Fig. 2). — ^For amateur
cultivators there are few better Plums than
this. The tree is of an excellent habit of
growth, the shoots forming naturally very
close short-jointed spurs, and bemg nearly
always covered with blossom-buds. It is an
almost certain cropper. The fruit is large, or
above medium size, of a roundish shape, and
marked with a very distinct suture. The skin
is dark purplish on the exposed side, occasion-
ally splashed with crimson and greenish yellow
in the shade, and covered with a fine bloom.
The stalk is rather short, inserted in a cavity.
The flesh is greenish, thick, but juicy, and
richly flavoured, slightly adhering to the stene.
This is generally classed as a cooking Plum,
but it is well suited for dessert. Bipens mid-
season. It is of Belgian origin. — ^M.

LILACS FOR WINTER FLOWERINCJ.

hardy plante for winter* treatment necessary for mid-winter flowering,

and produdng such an abundance of deliciously
fragrant blossoms with the least possible atten-
tion. Thus the Common Lilac, as it is termed,

?H0NG8T
flowering, there are few which are
more serviceable than the Idlac-HK)
popular, so eanly grown, so amenable to the

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106

THE WLCUBJB^ AUD FOXOLOttKrP.

(JULT,

has beoome the plant of the genenl pnblio; it k
everybody's plant, and is found in every conceir*
able situation, and one might say under almost
every condition, always accommodating itself to
the circumstances in which it is placed. Indeed^
the Syringa vulgans is not only serviceable as
an indoor decorative plant, but one of the most
reliable and effective shrubbery plants that we
possess, in some degree laxnriating even in
the vitiated, murky atmosphere of our large
cities, where vegetation, as a rule, has to
struggle for existence.

With all this, the Lilac, like most other sub-
jects, is benefited by careful culture, and deserves
far more general attention than, as a rule, it
receives in English gardens. We are particularly
wanting in varieties, of which so many of im-
proved character exist, and are procurable at
a trifling cost. It is really surprising how
limited our collections generally are, for it is
quite exceptional to And other than the follow-
ing sorts represented in our grounds : — Syringa
vulgaris^ and its white variety; S, persicdy
purple and white forms ; the Siberian variety,
occasionally represented ; and very reoently we
have added such sorts as Charles X, a strong-
growing variety of vulgaris^ which forces freely
in a moderately large state ; and J)r, LindUy^
a dwarf, compact, free-growing kind, well suited
for forcing. These latter are doubtless two
superior varieties, to which may be added with
advantage such kinds as rvhra insignis, a.TSiy
remarkable, fine variety, well meriting attention,
Duehesse de Nemours^ grandijlora, spectahiUij
Vallettianay Ville de Troyes^ Princetse Man$y
Princeese Camille de Rohan^ &c. There are
doubtless others of the many kinds now in
existence which possess superior merits, Hoiw-
■ever, in these general remarks I am somewhat
diverging from the point meditated, which was
. the early forcing of Lilacs, and more partiea-
larly the varieties of the Persian Lilac, such i^
Syringa persica^ S. persica alba, and S. persica
incisa, to which may very fittingly be added
pr. LindUy^ on account of its compact habit
and free-bloonaing properties.

It is a usual practice, which is not always
attended with perfect success, as thoy.seldc^
bloom or stand so long as established plants,
to pot-up plants from the ground with haUs,
and introduce them at ^mce into the fordng-
house. Certainly, it is not the- most judicious

methoi to Ad^ with sMh plant* as are ex*
peoted to produce flowfn donng tlio asonths
of December «nd Janoaiy. This I haife re»
peatedly proved, attd I woold guaiaDtee UmkI
one-quarter of ilie plants, propeiiy p g epa i td
and potted twelve uonihs ptorioias to ieroiof,
and having encouragement so as to secure
thomi^ development and maturation in the
pvevwQS summer, will piodaoe a m«di greater
amount of satisfaetioB^ with the addi*
tional advantage of greater compaotneis of
hsMt and ptofns^ne^s of bloMMim, which
Tenders Uiem £ar mora efficient for asio-
oiation with small plants in different eoml^Ba*
iions. For this purpose they are as superior
to lifted plants as it is possible to coocdve, and
the practice involves but a trifling ^Unou&t of
labour. I have growi^ the Persian varieties
l^ted upon stoe)^ of tb» lagusUum, which
answers well for standard plants, as they fsm
vigorous growth; a&d In this form are veiy
iserviceable to sta^d amongst plants for effect,
being so light and elegsint. The only objec-
tion to them is the growth of an abundant crop
^of suckers, which are troublesome to keep
tmder.

It will itM obvious that a tttdo care i& te
preparation of «t<»« plants f<« poUing-up will
be neoessary, ud the stools should be fre-
quently dinded, ejected, and sized, outtbg
them into f (»rm, and planting in good soil te
an open situation, where the only care neces-
sary is the trimming-in of unruly shoots
wMoh ttiar the symmetry of the plsats, sedu-
lously watching to keep under any root-siM&ets
whidi^ may appear* n«nts potted up in from
6-iii, to 19-in» pots, according to site, and
plunged up to the ftJn fo a smuiy spot d^mg
the summer, may be brought fonrard k a
moderate temp^ratui^ durkg Noveniher, whete
they will quickly produce an ahundant said
lasting supply of fragtant blossoms, wkJdh at
that duH seasott <A the year are especially wel-
come. Where space is not limited, a profa-
don of blossonis may be obtained after the
turn of the year, by lifting mod^rate^sised
budies with large balls, and pladng them in
. \l^ U |hey hi^ye Jb#en prepared by cutting
^ronndLorlifti]^ some tisae previous, so mu d rtte
better^ The lilac is so accommodating as to
n^nagepieni as to |^uqe average xeralts
. under any .^ooderatelj^ careful treatmeni At

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1878.}

BOWENIA ePB0«4BILIS flEBBUZiATA.

107

the same time, it eanno^ be toe forably stated
that the Budcessfal forcing and flowering of all
haidy shrubs ii mainly depending npon previous
preparation^ and thorough maturation of the
irood. Truly we may focce plants that have a
Natural tendency to flower during the winter,
even when n6wly wrenched from the ground ;
hut it 13 the weak point discernible in our

hardy-plant forcing. Besides this, they are
too often neglected and cast on one side after
flowering, and thus hopelessly injured for the
future. The object throughout the season
should be to secure unimpeded, vigorous
growth, which must be well ripened ; and this
obtained, much disappointment in the results
would be avoided. — Geo. Wbstland, Witley
Court Crurdens.

BOWENIA SPEOTABILIS SERRULATA.

^ OWianA is the only known Pycadaceous
genus which has bipinnated leaTes.
They spring up erect from aehort can*
dex, and have green polished stalks, while th6
leaves tiiemselves are evergreen, and the leaflets
more or leato obliquely laAob-ehaped^and of a
Smi Isfettliery texture. ^ISie original* species,
'B. fipectccbitiSy is a native of ^^ueensland, as is
ibe'fdpa represented -io the aoodmpanying
figure from Mr. Bdrs(7a^a%ti^.<which,. whether

it be permanently distinct from B. tpfcUMlii^
as Mr. Bull thinks, or whether it be merely the
young state of that plant, aa is believed by
others, is at least one of the finest and most
distinct of the grand natural order — ^that of
Cycads— to which it belongs.

Mr. Bull's description runs thus : — ^A most
distinct and remarkable plant. It has a short
thick oaude^ from the orown of which are
developed its large and slngulariy handsottd

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108

THE FL0BI8T AND F0U0L00I8T.

IJVI.Y,

leaves. The petioles are long, slender, roundish,
and of a dark-green colour; the lamina is
bipinnaiisect and spreading ; the pinnules are
finn in texture, obliquely falcato-lanoeolate,
acuminate, the margins prettily toothed or
serrated. It may be added, that the gracefully

drooping habit of the broad spreading leaves^
so different fiom the stiff formality common to
the order — very much enhances its beauty, and
whether permanently serrated or not, it may
take its place amongst the most ornamental
of the palms and larger ferns with which it
would become associated in cultivation.<*-T.

MOOBE.

MARKET PLANTS.— V.

VABisaATED Zonal Pklabooniuus.

DHE Tricolor Pelargonium has certsdnly
ceased to be the pet plant with noany
that it was a few years ago, when thexe
was something like a passion for new and ex«
pensive varieties. But the rage soon subsided,
for it was quickly found it was only under
special drcumstanoes that the plants could be
well grown and finely coloured, as they were
when shown by their introducers. A few fail-
ures with any particular plant soon affect the
demand for it; but though the Tricolor or
Variegated Zonal Bslargonium declined' as a

pet, it has never ceased to be an aooeptaUeand
most useful plant in the garden, for pot-coltore
and for beds.

.One particular grower of this plant, Mr.
Thomas Pestridge, of the Boston Park Nurseiy,
Brentford, sends to market twelve thousand ia
a seasoB,a goodly number in large 60*pots,tbe
larger quantity in small GO-pots. It is daring
the months of April and May that they are sent
to market A dozen plants are put into a small
light box— sometimes consisting of one variety
only, sometimes of two, and not infrequently
of several varieties mixed together. A model
market plant in a small 60-pot is from four to
five inches through, short-jointed, branching,
dwarf in growth, and with ridily-coloured leaves
feathering to the pot Such plants command
a good price, and there is a very ready sale for
them, as London nurserymen, who find it
difficult to grow the tricolors, become large
purchasers for supplying orders. Bronzes or
bicolors are also largely grown by Mr. Pest-
ridge, as he gets through some ten thousand
plwts in a season ; and they also are nice bushy,
compact, dwarf specimens, with grandly
coloured leaves.

The leading market Tricolor varieties are
Achievement^ vriih a very bright, evenly-marked
zone; Masterpiece,, Tery fine and attractive;
Oolden Queen, excellent in every respect;
Miss Goring, very good, and of fine haUt; Mrs.
Little, very fine in colour, and much in de-
mand in the market in consequence ; Prince of
Wales, a useful variety, but much like Mrs.
Pollock ; Marie Stuart (Pestridge), large, bold,
circular leaf, rich marking and excellent habit ;
Florence (Wills), in the way of Mrs. Pollock, but
having more colour, besides being a more com-
pact grower, and a great improvement on this
old variety ; Salamander (Pestridge), very fine
odour; Peter Grieve, finely marked, large, bold
leaves, but a slow grower; and McHobeih, a
capital grower^ with fine, high-coloured foliage,
wiell fitted for a large bed, because so free wA
robust.

The Silver Tricolors are grown also, but only
in the proportion of an eighth part, as com-
pared with the QoldeiL But a few varieties
of silvers are grown ; the best for the purpose
are Lass o* Oowrie, Miss Bond, En^press of
India (Pestridge), the best grower among the
Bilver-edged varieties, very fine and effedive,
a variety tiiat will become the leading one for
market purposes ; Doll^ Varden, very effective ;
and Mrs. John Marshall (Pestridge), fine in
colour and of excellent habit
. The best Gold and Bronze, or Bicolor varie-
ties grown for market, are :— W* E. GtunbUton,
having, a fine, broad, i:eddish zone, a good,
robust variety, that sells well ; the Shah, dii-
tinct and fine, and excellent habit; Mrs,
Harrison Weir, not a h^yj zone, but a taldng
variety; and Mrs. QuUter.

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VILLA OABDEHING FOB JULT.

109

The main part of the work of propagation is
done in January, February, and March, from
plants wintered in 48-pot8. The kind of wood
preferred for cnttmgs is the yonng hard growths,
snch as might be expected to come on semi-
starved plants. A sappy, yigorous growth makes
bat indifferent out tings, and they are slow and
nneertain in vootmg, while the former roots
qmckly. The later cuttings, as a rule, make
the best phmts, as they start away into growth
at once when the weather has become more
genial, and there is no check to their onward
]»ogre88. In May and June some of the latest-
struck cuttings, being too small to market, are
planted out in the open ground, and as soon as
the shoots are large enough, cuttings are taken
from them during the summer. These plants,
lifted and repotted in September or early in
October, also make capital stock plants, from
which to get cuttings in the winter and early
spring months. The cuttings are put singly
into small 60-pots, and stood on shelves near
the glass, and when sufiSciently well rooted are
potted into large GO-pots, and some of the
biggest into 48's.

The houses in which the plants are grown
daring the winter and spring are rather more
roomy than those in which market plants are
generally grown ; they are light, airy, and dry,
and in sunny positions. The temperature main-
tained daring winter is from 50^ to 55°, rising
to GO"* and 65^ with sun-heat. Plenty of air
18 given on all favourable occasions ; water is
given sparingly till growth sets in. Indeed, the
rule is to keep fairly dry on dull days. Water
does not hurt the {Jants when the temperature
in which they are growing is genial and kindly,
and the plants healthy. An unhealthy plant
is an exception to the rule in Mr. Pestridge*s
ntffsery.

Then as to soil. For the gold and silver
tricolors, Mr. Pestridge uses about two parts of
light kam and one part of leaf-mould, with a
good sprinUing of silver sand. The gold and
bronze varieties stand a stronger loam and a
little old manure, as they root more freely than
the tricolors.

The great secret of lucoesB with these gaily-
di^oared plants, as indeed with all market
plants, is the constant attention they receive
at tiie right time* Theyare never neglected
or forgotten. This is the golden rule of plant
'cultivation. It is because of this, and the
obeenranoe of the conditions named above,
that the leaves flash out with such brilliancy
of burning hues,-^painted by the sun, and in-
tsnrified and refined by touches of human
ddlL These diarming f oliaged plants, splendid
wfih leaf -tints that put into the shade their best
flowen, ^ their Maker*s name in silent pomp
diqilay,'* and set the seal of goodness on
Bis marfeiUras liandiworiL<^BiOHAn> Dian,
EaUng, W.

VILLA GARDENING FOR JULY.
PAPER having this heading might
very appropriately commence with
some observations on the importance
of watering — for is not July the season oUieat
and drought, when the sun shines dear out of
an unclouded sky, when the winds are low and
soft, and living creatures seek the shade ? What
if it is the month of 8t. Swithin? The
traditions of the watery Saint are not always
observed ; and indeed, so much of rain has
fallen of late, that it will soon be necessary for
the clouds to seek a fresh supply, to recoup
their overtaxed resources. But July may be as
wet as May and June, and it would appear as
if St. Swithin has anticipated his aimual
visitation by a month or two. At present,
except for plants in pots, there is little need
for tiie use of the water-pot out-of-doors.

Qreenhouse. — ^Unforced Azaleas^ that is,
those that have come on into flower without the
quickening influences of artificial heat, have
been late, but have done flowering, and all the
seed-pods should he picked off, and the plants
put into the warmest part of the greenhouse, to
make growth and set the buds ; a shift can be
given to such as require it. All greenhouse
plants required for late blooming will be the
better for a shift, for the purpose of growing
them on into good size before blooming.
Camellias may be shifted if necessary, but if
well potted in the first instance, the villa gar-
dener may console himself with the fact that
they will fiourish in the same pots for three
years in succession ; and to overpot them is an
injury from which they inay never recover.
Vfhsn Cameliias and other plants have become
potbouhd, and it is inconvenient to give them
larger pots, they are greatly helped by aslight top-
drrasing of Standen's Amateur's Friend manure,
or Amies' prepared manure, carefn^y applied
twice a week, by sprinkling a little over the
surface of the soil, and washing it in the act
of watering. Fuchsias represented by last
year's plants, cut back in early spring and re-
potted, are now very gay and effective subjects
for the greenhouse. Fuchsias are so boxmteous
of bloom, and on the whole so easily managed,
that they may well be relied on to be a staple
feature in the summer display. Frequent
syringings overhead and plenty of water at the
roots are necessary, and an occasional dressing
of the manures mentioned above, in the case
of densely-rooted plants, will be found of
great service. A few spring-struck Fuchsias,
potted on as fast as possible, and stood out-of-
doors till about the middle or end of the
month, will be found very useful in the con-
servatcny during August and September. By
pinching: back some of Hke Zonal Pelargomuma^
and by fOttitig on cuttings struck in May; by

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THE FL0BI8T kVD FOHOLOQIST.

[ July,

looking well aftet PetunicUy BaUamSy Cehsias^
Trtxchmum ccerulewn, Mimulus^ and other things,
th«re need be no lack of flowering plants till
aotomn comes on, in the procession of the
Seasons. Water freely in dry weather, shade
from hot sun, and give abundance of air on
all favonrable occasions. Especially pay atten-
tion to the cleanliness of the plants. These
ai« the simple conditions by the observance of
which the greenhouse can be made most
cffectire and pleasant.

Flowbb Gabdek. — ^The chief thing to do is
to keep the garden tidy and neat, by clearing
the borders and beds of leaves, removing dead
blossoms, &c. Grass plats, grass edgings, and
edgings of all kinds formed of plants need to
be kept neatly trimmed, as if they are permitted
to become coane and slovenly, they quite
change the aspect of the garden. Those villa
gardeners who make a small plantation of
Briers and bud a few Roses eveiy year scarcely
need to be reminded that July is the month
for budding. After heavy rains is the best
time, and the operation should be performed at
dawn or after sunset ; but early morning is
generally considered the best, as the sap then
flows freely. Hardy Perennials and Biennials
should be sown for next year's blooming, such
as Foxfjlove'i^ Delphiniums^ Scabions^ Zinnias^
Sweet Williains^ Bi'ompton Stocks^ Canterbtmf
Belis^ and others. The seed-beds should be
made up in a warm border, where they can be
shaded from the sun if necessary, and as soon
as the plants are large enough be planted out
in nursery beds, preparatory to being finally
planted out to bloom. Chrysanthemums in pots
for autumn flowering should now be standing
<mt-of-door8 on an a^-bed, and be kept W^
watered and syringed ov^head. Any check
new will be serious, especially one from drought.
It ie not too late to put in Pink pipings in a
shady j^ace, in some light, free, Mmdy soil,
]^tttiqg a hajdd-glass over them. Towardk the
end of the gaonth Carnations and Picotees
i^uld be layered ; in this way, strong jihmia
aare had for autunm planting. It is not too
Jate to plant out Pentstemcns and AnHrrhiimm
Im blooming in autumn, but it should be done
aa early as possibler These plants, b^g, young
.aad vigcMTouB, stand the wintec well,, and IdOtne
into bloom early the following summer., j

KiTOHEN Gabi>bn.— As sooii as the erops of
.Eetrl^ Peast are over, pull up the haalBk and
-elear the ground, dig it over, and plant out
Broaoolij Savoys^ Cei^age^ Kalesy Colewortl,BiSki
Early Dwairf Caulijlovfers* If the weather be
showery, plant out b^ween tfhoweist* If it be
iby,havesome liquid mud bgr, and dip the roots
of each plant in it before patfciBg it kto the
^pofQMd ; pUot out ift the evuiing, aji^ the
f^o^ni^ eveaip; give » littla mito to e^ek
pUot^ At the tvd of thft SMtf tb 9 M. ef
Win$er^phmhA<ifM}^mmi iliaiifettio

do this early, as abetter crop results. Do not
be in a hurry to earth-up Celery^ but draw a
little soil up to the roots, and keep it growing
fast. Celery grows but slowly after it is earthed-
up, and earthing-up is intended solely for
blanching it. Sow Turnip Radishes^ for
succes^onal crops; and some Early Tu9'nip$^
when a piece of ground can be used for the
purpose. Hand-weed while the weather is wet,
and carry the weeds away to the refuse-heap,
as they will come in very useful for manurial
purposes by-and-by.

Fbuit G abden. — As there is but little fruit on
Gooseberry-treeA, and only a fair crop on Currcmt-
husheSy and the weather continuing wet, they
will make a free growth. Some of the shoots
should be isken out of the centre to admit circa-
lation, leaving only so much wood as wiU bear
a crop of fruit next year. The earliest and
strongest of the runners of Strawberries can be
taken off and planted up, to form beds in Sep-
tember. Strawberry beds should be renewed
every three years. Tie-in and train Wall-fruit
trees as needed, and use the syringe well if the
weather be dry. Pyramid and bush trees are
making a very vigorous growth, and it wiU bo
well to thin oat some of the shoots, so that
the trees be not too much crowded. — '

SUBBUBANUB.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

UBING the past month the Eoyal
HoBTiouLTUBAL SOCIETY has held some
very interesting meetings. At that on
June 4^ Messrs. Yeitoh and Sons, Chelsea* showed
some very ehoioe plants, for which Fint-clam €er-
tifiostes wem voted. They were Xmwiwia Mooni,
a very distinct New Caledonian plenty with iris-like
leaves, and spikes of crimson flowers set on the
upper edge of the horizontally inflected scs^pe— a
most distinct, onrions, and showy plant, the last, to
flower of those eoUeeted hy the late- Hr. Joha G.
Yeit^; PtotyMrram BiUiv a Queeastend Blk's-hom
Fern, with a^rt patches of son j Adiantum cych'
sorum^ New Granadian,.with the yoong fronds of
a pretty reddish tint. Mr. Greetf, gardener to Sir Q.
Maoleay, Bletehingley, was awarded a oertiflcate for
a flower-spike and leaf of Qwin^ra fMuvideiia.
XiOthyrua Drtm^MndtH f road Mr. R. Dean (sent also
hjMr. Green), a^ pretty rosy-carmine everlasting
Pea, also received a Certificate. At the meeting on
June 18, which was also the Great dmnjner Show,
the flii«8t bank of Pot-ftoses perhaps ever staged was
shown by Mr. O. Tnmer, to whom, the I^ndley
SMdal was awarded, so BM^itorioos was the e^habir
tion. Certificates were awarded, amongst others, t9
Dracana vivicans, from Mr.. W. Bull, a narrow-
leaved erect sort, daA bronee, edged with seartet ;
-t* H.P. JRete CovjUese of Roeeherryf froia Mess**
W.Paal and SMd» Walthiam Ch»on, a strongly psc-
famed Snfliisb snedlirg, with bnght ro^-orisisea
flowers of fine lorin^ to Srica obhatu estfMa^ km
Messrs. RotlisSQn and Soi^s, a fine h^a£K Of the
Irbyana dass, Witfcr gainless Howearfc tadlSee^S to
«tak« ff iter .exlJbitikiii^ piiiit ; :s« fM^
jkrtktir, iMsr y^ MaiHiiiiri,. IsMrovy^'^ii^Joalft
yellow variety} to D<nctyU$ glomf^r^ aitfWV"?

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1I7«.]

OABDEN 6OB0IP.

Ill

golden-striped Grafl% lr«ai }ir« 0. Gannell ; and to
Rhododendron The 9bc«t% from Mr. C. Koble, Bag-

0. F« WUmh, leg, had ^ fine plaafe of tl^ ohanmng
Litium Hansoni, Mr. Oripps, Tanbridge WelU,
had OlemalU S<»H of B$aeon$fi4ld, of the Yitioenai
^pe^ with Tacy deep paoj-parple lowan^ for which
%Certifioatewaagtaiiked} and another^ caUed Lady
BUmeho Com^ngkeun, % doable white knnginoiia,
which was not ao diatingniahed.

— • Vhb other MitbofoiiItan Exuijutioks
hATe beta of full avexage merit, the best being
that held on Maj 22, hy the Boyal Botanic
Soeiety, which was ezoeediogly bright and off ectire.
That held <m June X2 waa supplemented by Mr. A.
Waterei^a grand Rhododendron Show, wluoh waa
open daring the month of Jane, and waa of more
than nanal mteieeti aad by Measrs. Garter and
Co.'s display of annaala in pots, which is not yet
orer, and which prored to be r em arka bly varied
and attiactiTe^ aflordng a good c^pevtoni^ fpf
showing off the immroved yarietiea which have been
raiwdnrom some m the older annaal flowers.

— SbK»ro the gieat PwnrivciaL HosTHnni*

T0BAI* ExuiBiTioirs of the paat month may be

qMially Boted those of Manchester Mid Yodc

th^ Manchester sbow waa opened on June 7, and
was as nsnal remarfcaMe for its grand cttsplay of
Orchid^ and inohided, among several competing
p^ts, a specimen of Anynloa Clovfoni, from Mr.
Ssbberstey, gardener to O. O. Wrigley, Bsq., to
which the Tettch Memorial Prize and Medal was
awarded, and which had about 50 of its golden
goblet-like flowers displayed beneath a noble
crown of plaited foliage. Here a new ]>6nnan6Dt
ivon Btractore has been eeaeted on the site of the
wooden-framed tent. The geneial effect of the
straotore is exceltent ; the wood uprights or snp-
perts have bee«i entirely removed; aad the new
ftnaSfjd pifndpalSy 12 ft. apart, extend la one span
«f 80 ft. aoteas the spao» oec«pled« The length is
iMft., the wid^ 00ft., and the extreme height to
erowaef roof nearly 40 ft. The area el the gienad
eovered is abont 9gW0 snpevfioial yards. Which is
laJd est snitable for eKhibiftloo porpoees. Along the
9f9t of ttieniaBnpria0ipalairrottght.ironfhuDrilng
is fixed, se cenetmcted as to harmonise in fbrm with
the eniitie of the prinoipals, and to give support
and inofinatien to the canvas. The fraoMwerk <rf
the roof is s«]^ovted on fifty-fl^ light ema-
mental cast-hren oolaniMi^ ptaesd abent Uft. apart,
which are strutted aai tied together with oma-
mental cast-hmi spandrit gkders and wronght-iron
diagonal tie-reda with ofaamental oever-plates at the
In tegaee ti e nsi The Terk Show, which waa held on
Jsne 19-21, waa remarkable for ita d&^lay of Fruit
«^one ef the best of the p r es e n t season. TheYeiteh
Memorial Prise and Medal offeted here to 8 bnnches
af 31ack Bambntj^t Chnapes, waa won by Mr. A*
f lMPg naon , ga r d e n er to B. Bhaw^ Smi., Cowick MaD,

»'f witn a ni0M|y nwisnea samj^e or mocnrate*
bunches, xhere were seven eonipetnors.

-T^ QjBB 2Tew York TrtSuai points ooi Uut
IiAiWAif A9 ssid ▼mwiMBA a belong to the saaote
(saul^ aiid ooma. from thq sanie leg^ns^ both

aencblMthsBawiho
f ViabiiMis in

endure the heat

ar wtU keep weU ia a cellar that does not cool below
id degrees. The flowers are as bright and as varied;
fine shades of yellow and orange making ap well for
lack of blue or purple. They are always neat. The
natural habit of growth is ascending and straggling,
but they can be kept in any desired form by timely
occasional pinching. They like full sun and rich
sofl. Cuttings are easily rooted in Aagnst or Sep-
tember, and they will begin to flower early in spring.

— JHb. Leybslet, of Isleworth, grows a

fine strain of compact Cinerarias, which he calls

the DwABF CovENT Qabden Cinebabia. In

this strain dwarfness and compactness is combined
irith quality of a very high order. A model market
Cineraria riiould be nine inches in height from the
pot; the head of flower as many or more in dia-
meter; the lowermost leaves should feather the
pot, and the flower-heads should be bright-coloured,
whether selfs, or parti-coloured, with a dark disc to
give effect to the blooms. Mr. Levesley's strain
contains some novel shades of colour, as silvery-
lilac, pinkish-lilac, and lilac-mauve, generally well-
defined in the hue ;. some of the blae selfs are par-
ticularly rich, the crimsons singularly bright, and
the magentas very telling. The character they
possess of displaying the ^d of bloom well to the
eye is one of great value. The seed is so>vn
abont the first week in June. At the time of potting
into the blooming pots only hard loam is used, the
plants being potted firmly, and plain soft water
only given to them, no stimulants being ufied,

— 21 SUCCESSFUL importation of Agave

ViOTonLB BsoiKA has been effected through

the agency of Mr. L. Kienast, formerly Swiss

Consul- General in Mexico. Out of 120 plants
58 arrived in capital condition. This species,
according to Mr. Considerant, the origina] importer,
Inhabits the neighbourhood of Monterey, Nuevo
Leo% North-Eastern Mexico, whither a party oi
Indiflois was sent by Mr. Kienast's friends. After
some weeks* fruitless search, they returned empty-
handed. However, a second party was sent with
faistructions to penetrate inland beyond Monterey,
and explore every hill-side and plateau until the
plant was discovered. About eighty miles beyond
Monterey the Indians found the plant, and brought
away between six of them 120 specimens, as many
as they could carry. De Smet, of Ghent^ has pur-
ehMed the stock.

— 21 NBW English edition of Baltet's Abt

Off Gbaftino and Budding has been published

by Macmillan and Co. The high character of

the book ia now well established, and those who
have either grafting or budding to perform cannot
do better thim study it and follow its advice so far
aa it suits each particular case. It is well printed,
and issued in a neat and' handy form.

-^ 0BS Hon. and Bev. J. T. Boscawen hae

added £5 to Mr» W. Bobinspn's first yearns

E»Aizss FOR AfiPAEAGUS. The first eompetition

will be held for these prises at the Bath and West
6f England Society's Show in 1881. Prizes will be
eflired for maricet-garden-grown Asparagas^ ais
diiliaea ibcsa thai grown in private gardens.

— Sh did but effid^t Snail and Slug
QviflP- may h» fotead out of riiaete ^ per*
fbiatedt 2hiC| cut to a siae sofflcient to 9itrrom[id

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112

THE FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST.

IJn.T,

a plant to tho depth of 4 in. Before pkomg the
guard in position some fine cinder-aahes should be
spread on the surface of the soil round about the
plant. The slugs will not attempt to scale the sine
ramparts, and they do not care to thrust themselres
through the soil under its walls, the gritty particles
of the asbes not being at all to their liking. As
plates of perforated zinc are by no means expenstre,
a number of guards can be had at a comparatively
small cost. They should be used without any paint
or colour being placed on them.

— iflBPB. Knight, of Floors, has recently

given the result of bis experience as to the

efficacy of a weak solution of Paraffin for
THB Bestbuction OF ScALB, as rccommeuded some
few years since. His plan was to syringe the plants
infected with bug and scale with a wash made up
in the proportion of one wineglassful of paraflin oU
to four gallons of water. The oil and water require
to be kept thoroughly mixed with the syringe — one
squirt into the can and one on the plant. This was
used with Oranges, Gardenias, Crotons, and many
other plants which had bug and scale on them, and
while the young leaves were not in the least injured,
it proved certain death to the insects.

— St is easy to strike Mignonbttb from

CiTTTiNGS, provided the proper time and the

proper cuttings are chosen. Cuttings from the
open ground in the autumn probably will not
strike; but the small shoots which the larger
cuttings produce will root at once. Many cut«
tings are lost entirely through this being over-
looked. The small growths that many larger cut-
tings make will invariably strike readily, whereas
the effort to produce them usually ends in the loss
of qJI, if advantage has not been taken of these
secondary shoots.

— 0HE London International Hortioul-

TURAL Exhibition is now definitively fixed for

1880. It has been postponed in consequence
of the present depression in trade^ the counter*
attraction of the Soyal Agricultural Society's Show
in 1879, and the fact of the Antwerp Show falling
also in 1879. The "International" Committee in
the meanwhile will take such preliminary steps in
reference to securing a suitable site as may seem
desirable. Sir D. Coopw, Bart., is Chairman ; Mr.
T. Moore, F.L.S., Honorary Secretary; and Dr.
Masters, F.B.S., Hon. Secretary for the Congress.

— Me read in the Garden that Meoonopsis

ACULBATA has lately been fiowering on the

rockwork in Messrs. Backhouse's nnrsery at
York. This truly majestic poppy of the Himalayas
has large bluish-purple flowers, which are borne in
profusion on a long spike, the plant growing a
couple of feet iu height, the pinnatifid leaves four
to eight inches in length, and the attractive flowers
two to three inches in diameter. Unlike Meoonopsis
nopalensis, which is not much more than a biennial,
this beautiful species is a true perennial.

— St Eew, the Aponooeton sPATHAosuir,

. lately introduced from the Cape, has lately been

fiowering for the first time. It proves to be a gem
in its way. The leaves are msh-like aad ereot, not
floating on the water. The infloresoenoe. is quite a
miniature of that of A. distaohyon, the flowem being,
however, more thickly disposed ; they have a ptettj'
touch of blush-pink, but, unfortunately, axe without
the perfume of the more familiar species.

— fUR. John GuMNmaHAii, of Auricula
renown, died on Maich 28, at Paisley, at the
patriarchal age of eighty years. As a raiser
and cultivator of Aurioolas he has left a wortliy
name in the annals of floriculture. Among hii
seedlings distributed by name are John Waterson,
grey edge ; Peter Campbell, Tam o' Shanter, Bont^
Johnni^ and John Read, green edges ; Mrs. Campbell
and Miss Campbell, white edges; and a fancy
variety with a yellttii ground named Golden Maid.
He disposed of the greaitr part of his best novelties
to the late Mr. Peter Cam^^ll. One of his produc-
tions was a dark self, which he thought veiy highly
of, and named in memory of the late Bcv. George
Jeans, but it is to be feared this is lost.

— 0HS Bev. B. H. Mabgetts died at

Lyddington, near Uppingh^^ on Jnne 10, at

the age of 81. lii. Marget^ who was for^

merfy curate of Finedon, near WeQuigborougk, was
a successful cultivator and exhibitor of Chrysanthe-'
mums at the exhibitions of tl^ Northampton
Chrysanthemum Society. He waa an ardent florist,
with a great penchant for the Auricula, and waa
both a subscriber to and an exhibitor at the edu-
bitions of the Southern section of the National
Auricula Society. Of late years his health had
not been good, and a fit of severe hsemoRfaage of
the lungs caused his death in a week. His col-
lection of Auriculas, at his own request, will pass
into the hands of his dearly loved IHend^ the Bev.
F. D. Homer, to be kept for his sake.

— ;^B. Qeoboe Wheeler, nurseryman,
Wanninster, WUte, died on Jane 10, at the
age of 87, full of honours and amid the deep
regrets of many friends. The late Mr. Wbeeler*a
father went to reside in Warminster in Januaiyi
1778, and established himself there in a stnall way
of business as a nurseryman; here on Affgavt^
1791, his son Geoige was bom. In September,
1806^ he left home aad obtained efmloyment at
FonthiU Abb^, the residence of W. Beckford,
Ssq. ; here he remained till 1806, whea he went to
HiUer and Sweet's nursery at Bristol till March,
1811, when he engaged himself to Jonathan Salter,
nurseiTman, of Bath, for whom he worked till 1813^
going from thence to Bowood, the reddenoe ci the
Marquis of Lansdowne, remaining theie aboot a
year, wh«i he went to London, and obteined em-
ployment in Messrs. Oray's and Malcolm's nnrteries.
In 1816 he returned to assist in his father's nnrseiy,
which, on the death of the latter in 1819 or IBSO,
beoame his own, and he has carried on bnsiaess
there ever since* Here he worked up a general
nursery business, taking in florista* flowers, and if
not the first, was one oi the first who bodded the
Bose. The first spotted Caloeolana was raieedat
his nursery, also the first double Fuohtia, aaned
Sir Colin Campbell, which was figored in the Floritt
for 1869. His love for plants was unbounded, and
especially for herbaceous and alpine plants; he
sent out Delphinium alopeenroides and Wheeleri,
Tigridia Wheeleri, and other good things in this way ;
also Genista prasooz, a fine early.|lowering oream-
eolooied Broom. The lato Mr. George Wheeler
wiU perhaps be best known ^ his Imperial Cabbage,
wfaieh, as grown and seleeted at WanninstMv is one
ef the finest oahbagee in enltivatioo. Be was ear
ef the Jadfee at the laie Oearge Gleny's
DahUa riiofw •<; Silt MOV is 188&

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Mictar iiinr del . G 3ev-3i'?vivs. •I'hxcmolu^x Biusse'.s

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1878.]

ON THE PBE8ENT FAILUBB IN THE APPLE AND FEkU OBOPS.

113

AZALEA DUKE OF EDINBUBGH.

[Plate 472.]

|)HIS yeiy fine English seedling Azalea
indica was raised by Mr. A. Parsons,
gardener to Captain Blake, at Danes-
baiy, Welwyn, a thoroughly practical gardener,
and one who has always had a great regard for
florists' flowers, and been esteemed for many
years as one of the best judges of that class of
productions. We have to thank our old friend
Mr. Parsons — our frequent colleague as a floral
censor — for the flowers represented in the
accompanying plate, which well represents the
fine form and character of the yariety, but
fails, as artificial colours must do, to give more
than an indication of its brilliancy.

The variety is called Duke or Edinburgh.
It is of free-growing, vigorous habit, with

healthy foliage of the usual character. The
flowers are veiy large and stout, very smooth
both on the surface and at the margin, and
abundantly produced ; their colour is a bright
rich salmon-red, the upper side of the flower
being moderately spotted with deep crimson.
The solid, though not heavy, colouring, and
the large size of the blossoms, place it in the
first rank of ornamental varieties, since it
combines effectiveness with floral qualities of a
veiy high order.

A First-class Certificate was awarded to the
Duke of Edinburgh on May 3, 1876, when it
was exhibited before the Floral Committee,
and no award of that body could be better
deserved. — ^T. Moobe.

ON THE PRESENT FAILURE IN THE APPLE AND PEAR CROPS,

AND THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE LED TO IT.

S)HE present season, although not so dis-
astrous to fruit-growers as the two
immediately preceding it, has yet dis-
appointed the hopes of those who, encouraged
by the absence of frost in May, and a promise,
in many cases, of abundance of fruit, were led
to expect exceptionally favourable results. An
inquiry into the causes which have led to so
great a failure in the crops of Apples and Pears
may not be without interest to your pomological
readers.

Turning to our meteorological register, I
find that the weather from February 20 to
March 8 was of a character to encourage the
action of vegetation. An average night-tem-
perature of 40^ in the air, a maximum tempera-
ture ranging from 62° to 60^, and an earth-
temperature of 4A° most certainly gave an early
stimulus to fruit-trees, and expanding and
bursting buds sufficiently told how much fruit-
trees had been excited by the unusual warmth
of an early springseason. From March 9 to March
21, there was a gradually declining temperature,
with intervals of abnormal warmth, until the
21st ; but the weather was not unfavourable,
and the rapidly-budding fruit-trees remained
without a serious check until the 2l8t, when a
great depression of temperature occurred, and
lasted until the 7th April. During this period
frost was recorded with greater or less severity

No. 8. IKPBBUL SEBI1BS. — I.

on every night, while the earth-heat, instead of
advancing with the season, fell from 44° to 40*^.

Perhaps less apprehension was felt in regard
to the action of this weather on fruit-trees
because, in the majority of cases, the fruit-
blossom had not expanded, and the folded
petals seemed sufficiently to guard the delicate
organs of fructification ; but the experience of
this season has taught us that the susceptibility
to injury by weather of the blossom-buds of
Pears and Apples, is greater at a period prior
to the full development of the flowef than when
the flower is fully expanded ; and a lesson like
this is of great value, warning us to be early
in placing protective material on our trees in
spring, and telling us, in orchard-house man-
agement, at what moment a certain heat is
essential.

The question as to the period at which the
flower-bud and expanded blossom are most
susceptible to injury from weather is an in-
teresting one. The results of the present
season appear to me to confirm the opinion I
have expressed above, that a given amount of
frost is more fatal when inflicted on unde*
veloped than fully expanded flowers. The vital
energy of a tree is greatest when its blossoms
are expanded, and the individual vitality of
each flower is greater at the time of its perfect
expansion than at an earlier period, and the

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114

THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[ AUOIJIT,

power of vital resistanoe to the inflaenoe of
weather is proportionately larger. This view
seems to gather confirmation, from the fact that
the more advanced early-blooming and early-
bearing Pears, such as Doyenne dEte\ Citron
des Cca^ines^ Williams* Bon Chretien^ are bear-
ing good crops this year, while the later sorts
are singularly thin. Again, Plums, the ex-
panded blossoms of which were exposed to
severe weather, escaped uninjured, and are
bearing abundantly.

One other circumstance which acted preju*

dicially on fruit-trees must also be taken
into account, in reviewing the causes which
led to the partial loss of the Apple and Pear
crops. It was the excessive rainfall of May.
In this dry district, rain fell on 25 days dorbg
the month, and our record was 4*25 inches.
The ground, thus chilled and surcharged with
water, naturally affected fruit-trees; root-
action was checked, and the result was seen in
the yellow, unhealthy look of the trees, and
the fall of the little fruit that remained on
some of them.— Wm. Inobau, Belvoir.

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

No. V.

KOBM, considered absolutely, possesses
a double origin of beauty ; its two
branches being, as in so many in-
stances, in apparent contrast with each other.
The two br?inches are Unity and Variety.
And these should be always combined, the
rather because the combinations they admit of
are unlimited. Nor is it necessary that either
branch should be considered more essential
than the other, but in proportion as in any
flower or variety the value of one is increased,
the other may recede and give way, without
being entirely obliterated ; as in flowers of the
disc or of the cupped form, unity is the lead-
ing property ; in the composite forms, as the
Fuchsia or the /xia, variety takes the lead.

'^ By Unity is meant the singleness of idea
presented to the mind, whereby the impression
becomes definite and clear, not being distracted
by contending claims, nor divided among many :
as a cup formed of petals in contradistinction
to six equal and separate petals, without the
combining and controlling idea of a cup. When
applied to an outline, it means the appearance
when that outline is one and unbroken, as in
the circular form of a Petunia,
" Its contrary is produced —
^ In idea, when a flower consists of a plurality
of like and equal parts not uniting to form
one idea, and especially if those parts are
circular, as in the Veronica,
^ In outline (1), by the occurrence of an inter-
val ; either by a breach of continuity in the
substance, as in the flower of the Arum^
causing an effect like the loss of a guard-leaf
in a Carnation ; or by a separation between
the parts which compose it, as in the petals
of the Night-scented Stock. To this may
be referred the broken edging in a Picotee,
and broken lacing in a Pink. (2) Or by
an abrupt change, either of kind, from a
straight line to a curve, or from a curve to a

straight line, as in the Pea-blossom ; or of

direction, as when two straight linestenninato

in a point, as in the pointed petals of the

Narcissus,

«( By Variety, when combined with unity
(for simply considered, it needs no explanation),
is meant the comprising many ideas under one
— that the unity is not a dry unit,

^' When applied to an outline, it means the
appearance when the line is flowing and con-
tinuous, yet constantly changing ; such as is a
curve, as in the circular blossom of the ConvoU
vuluSy or a succession of segments of curves,
themselves arranged in a curve in the same
plane, as in the flat circle composed of lobes in
the Phlox or the Verbena: or in the more
complicated outline composed of curves and
lines in different planes, as in the luchsia,

^^ When applied to the contents of an outline,
it again explains itself, and is fulfilled when
all is not same or self, but varied with diverse
forms and colours.

'^ Now with regard to the influence which
these two sources of beauty exercise upon our
judgments. First, with respect to Unity. If
an external outline be broken, one or more
of these three effects will be produced : either
it will convey an idea of imperfection, that
something is defective, and needs to be fiUed
up ; as in the native Pansy, or much more in
an inferior cultivated variety, in which the
improvement is begun, but only to the extent
of making the defect more glaring by shewing
how it may be removed.

'^ Or, if the parts are equal and similar, as in
the /m, the flower will not be a whole^ to
produce one leading idea in which the others
it may suggest are contained, but will be
broken into parts, and its effectiveness dimin-
ished to that of a flower of the size of one of
its parts.

^^ Or the general appearance will be marred by
the impression of roughness and harshness,
causing to the eye a sensation analogous to

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1171.]

THE PHIL080PHT OF FLOBISTS' FLOWBBS«-Y.

115

that oommunioated to the hand by its passing
over a rongh, nneven surface. This is exem-
plified in many flowers, even in the Lily, and
still more in the ragged edge of some Pinks
and Carnations ; because in them the defect
is in such close juxtaposition with the means
of its cure — a curve in the outline of the
petal ; and this curye already exists at the base
of the serrated point. It always gives an idea
of harshness.

^It is not, however, always that these de-
fects can be expected, or wished, to be removed
by cultivation. In the Gladiolus^ Iris^ Ixia^
and others, they are of the essence of the
form, and the flower would quite alter its
character were they removed. The alteration,
if effected, would very possibly be no improve-
ment, and at least it would be a complete
transformation of the original. When this is
the case, the flower must be content to take a
lower rank with such as are incapable of the
•highest assemblage of excellences, but will not
be the less esteemed for the qualities it does
possess. Nor is it desirable that all should be
of one class.

^ Moreover, in some of this class the primary
outline which gives the leading impression of
the flower lies ivithin the irregular parts, as in
the Tigridxa^ the slightly concave disc of which
is sufficiently distinct, and the protruding flaps
of the alternate longer petals overhang its
edge, and sometimes f sJl down from it, like the
lappets of a lady*s head-dress of the reign of
Queen Anne. Owing to this, the flimsy sub-
stance of the outer portion of the longer petals
is no fault.

^Nor is unity altogether lost in any of
these flowers, except in such as contain a
primary division of the corolla into two or
more like and equal parts, as the Iris does, and
many smaller flowers, as the Veronica in-
stanced above, in which the parts are circular,
and therefore complete in themselves. This
quality, therefore, is most essential to the flower
as a whole, and should accordingly be always
more or less found under the general outline.

^^ Next let us consider the effect of Vabiett.
This is even more essential to a pleasing form
than unity is. It is, as it were, Uie substance,
while unity is the form in which that sub-
stance should be presented; for without it,
the ideas suggested can be at best but scanty ;
and it is by a succession of ideas that pleasur-
able emotions are excited ; while at the same
time variety, though ever so charming, if not
included in one leading impression, wiU be de-
sultory and unconnected, — there wiU be a break
in the current of thought, and the result will
be harsh and disi^preeable.

^' It may consist in forms, or numbers, or
colours, or in any combinations of these. We
have here principally to deal with the flrst,
with some remarks on the second.

^' In the general or primary outline, variety
arising from form can only be considered an
element of beauty when it is easy and flowing.
To explain which, it is necessary first to make
clear the difference in the effects of straight
lines and curves, for outlines 6an only be
formed by straight lines and curves, and the
characteristic effects of these are diametri*
cally opposite to each other.

^^A straight line is one the direction of
which is always the same, whence its effect is
to accumulate force upon a point. And the
impression produced by it will be asperity,
brilliance, and power. A straight line by itself
gives no idea but that of simple progression,
as in the stem or bole of a plant, and in the
subjects of the present inquiry can never be of
a length sufficient to require further notice.
But there are two positions, in combination, in
which it has considerable power over the ap-
pearance of flowers, illustrating what has been
said of its impression, namely, when grouped
in clusters radiating from a centre in the form
which painters call ' a glory ;' and contrariwise,
when two or more of ihem terminate in a point
or angle outwards. Both these forms are often
very effective in a subordinate outline, though
either, if prominent, would be a marked defect
in the principal one.

^' Lines radiating y)'07» a centre are found in
many markings of flowers, as in the eye of a
Pansy, the colour of an Auricula (in which
they resemble the streamings in the arch of an
aurora borealis), and the pencillings of the
black petals of a Pelargonium, Nor is it of '
much consequence whether those lines, if they
are mere lines, are strictly straight, or, as is
more common, wavy and involved ; they are
more forcible if straight, and more feeble if
curved, but are for the most part subject to
the same remarks. In all cases, the ideas sug-
gested by this form must be completely
subordinated to that of some other in which it
is included, or it will give an idea of coarse*
ness, as in SkYeinj Pelargonium^ or of harshness,
as in a very narrow-striped Carnation.

'' Straight lines running outwards to a
centre, that is, meeting in an angular point,
are not infrequent in the principal outline of
many natural flowers, as in the pointed petal
of the Auricula or Dahlia, In such cases it is
invariably a fault, although in flowers destitute
of high properties, as the Cineraria^ the defect
is lessened in the same ratio with the im-
portance of the single bloom.

^'Sometimes a floral disc is made up of
florets, as in the natural single Chrysanthemum
and Cineraria; in which case, the outline
being formed of the ends of tiie florets or
petals, if any character is expected to be
attained in the individual blossoms, the angular
points must be got rid of as soon as possible.
In the present state of the latter flower, the

I 2

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THE FLOBIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ AlOUST,

general outline being ratker that of the entire
bloom of the whole plant, the minute appear-
ance of each particular blossom becomes
secondary, and the starry outline is less of a
defect.

(^ But eyexr in the general outline, absolute
perfection in getting rid of this appearance is
in many flowers certainly not to be wished. The
resulting appearance would be tame, from the
want of a foU to call attention to the beauty of
the more perfect part of the form. This would be
especially the case in the Auricula. Small pro-
cesses in the way of points to the petals are
clearly serviceable to the general appearance,
though lobes produce the same effect in a less
objectionable way. In a subordinate position,
a distinct star, or a starry appearance, would
have all its lively effect, without involving the
oharge of roughness.

^^ A curve is a line the direction of which is
deflected at every point according to a fixed
law, whence its effect is to disperse instead of
concentrating force. And the impression pro-
duced by it will be that of gracefulness, gentle-
ness.

'^ Curve lines are of two kinds, of single and
of compound curvature ; the former being those
of which the flexure is always in one direction,
as the circle, ellipse, and others. The latter
are those which are not always concave towards
the same parts, but the curvature is alternately
in opposite directions, or such as that a straight
line might meet them in more points than two.
The quilled form is an instance of it. Curves
of high mathematical complexity of both kinds
are found in flowers. The hyperbola is repre-
sented by the blossom of the Arum. In the
detached petal of a good Talip, and in some
other flowers, the two portions of the outline
divided by the axis or line of sjrmmetry are
asymptotes to each other and to the axis.

" The general outline of trumpet and of bell
flowers is commonly of double curvature. So
is that of some disc flowers. And when, as in
the best varieties of the Polyanthus, the seg-
ments are small and equal, and symmetrically
arranged upon the circumference of a circle,
they form one of the most pleasing and effective
of all.

" The circle is the curve which, in proportion
to its length, encloses the greatest space, and
therefore, for a containing outline, it is theoreti-
cally the most perfect, and must ever stand the
highest in reference to its capabilities. Its
diameter, moreover, being in all directions equal
to itself, it has nothing to attract the eye to
one part rather than to another, but all is
equable. These properties belong to no other
curve, and therefore it possesses advantages for
a general outline which no other possesses.

" It does not, however, from thence follow
that a circle is one plane^ or presenting a flat
surface, is the most perfect. On the contrary,

we should say, a priori^ that the spherical
form which presents a cirde in every
direction would be superior. Whether in any
given instance it is so, will depend on several
considerations, as the characteristic of the
flower, the form and dbposition of its oolouis,
and in part also on its size. What is invariable
is, that the circle, abstractedly speaking, most
take the first place among curves for a primary
outline, as will be admitted at once on com«
paring a curcular with an oblong Pansy.

"In secondary outlines the oval is often
better than the circle, because completeness is
in them not unfrequently out of place, as being
an element of separation, not of union ; and the
want of fullness and completeness in a figure
disposes the eye to connect it with surrounding
objects to make up what is wanting.

" To sum up, therefore, the difference in the
impressions produced by straight lines and
curves. A straight line concentrates its force
in one direction, and produces the idea of
pungency and sharpness. In following a curve,
the direction of the eye is in a constant state
of change, and therefore no accumulation takes
place ; and as the change can never be abrupt,
the perception arising from it is one of smootii-
ness, softness, and elegance. Hence curves alone
are suited to the general outline, because the
general notion of beauty must be one of softness ;
while a moderate amount of straight lines, and
of angles produced by them, are effective in
contained figures; and to reverse this, is an
analogous mistake to that made by Petruchio
in offerbg his mistress mustard instead of beef.
—Iota.**

EARLY CHERRIES.

vO fruit more amply and generously re-
wards the orchard-house cultivator than
the Cherry. In the spring the pearly
and pure white blossoms are very beautiful,
and the rapidity vith which the fruit follows
the shedding of the fiower-petals is very
heartening and pleasant. My house, not a
large one, but containing some choice varieties,
was in bloom this year during the last days of
March, and by the first week in June I had
already gathered fine and ripe fruit, without
any artificial heat, and in spite of the long
spell of dull and sunless skies. The trees, laden
with deep red and black shining fruit, are
pictures of beauty, and I am sorry that I can-
not, without injury to the trees, which are
plunged in the earth, give them a place among
the flowers in a London exhibition.

Cherry culture is easy, but to have the
fruit in perfection, fully ripe and perfect, I

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EABLT-FLOWEBINO PELABG0KIUM8.

117

believe glass to be indispensable. A rongli
sbed, with fixed roof and plenty of side yentila«
tion, is, however, all that is necessaiy ; the
side ventilation mast be constant ; and to pre-
vent the ingress of birds and boys, both sorely
tempted by Gherries, a strip of wire netting
should be nailed inside. If the meshes of the
wire are not large enough to keep out robins,
flycatchers, and tomtits, who all go in for
Gherries, it should be supplemented by some
lengths of fish-netting, which can be bought
cheap second-hand. There is no need to shut
up the house after May at all, unless early fruit
is want^. The pots, which must be of good
size, should be perforated in the sides to allow
the eznission of roots, and plunged into a well-
drained border of light sandy loam. So treated,
the fruit will hang on the trees from June to
October, no fruit except the Grape lasting so
long.

The earliest to ripen this year has been the
BiGABBEAU Jaboulat (by some pomologists
given as a synonym of Early Lyons, but here
the two sorts are of diverse growth, although
somewhat alike in the fruit) a sort which has
been here for many years. It is a. fine, large,
and handsome Gherry. This is described by
M. Simon-Louis, in the Guide Pi'atique^ as a
laige fruit, heart-shaped, deep ruddy black,
and ripe the first fortnight in June. In my
Gherry-house, for several years, the fruit has
ripened between the first and the third week
in June. It is more a Guigne than a Bigarreau.
The tree is vigorous, and in favourable situa-
tions it will very likely prove a good variety to
plant for profit, as it is certainly one of the
earliest large Gherries in cultivation.

BiGAiuBEAu DB Shbieken is another early
sort which promises well. It is a German
variety, and is a Bigarreau. It has, however,
a tendency to crack, even under glass, and pro-
bably requires a veiy warm cDmate to develop
its finer qualities. The fruit is large, colour
a deep shining ruddy black, heart-shaped,
with a more pronounced flavour than the Bigar-
reau Jaboulay. The tree is of vigorous growth,
and is an abundant bearer in the Gherry dis-
tricts of Devonshire, near Paignton. These
early Gherries will be of gieat value.

The Early Bivers differs entirely from the
two preceding varieties, except in precocity of
ripening and in general excellence. It is a

seminal variety of the Early Purple Guigne, of
which I have some eight or ten sorts, differing
in no degree in fruit, but diverse in growth.
This is a delightful orchard-house Gherry ; a
pyramidal well-grown tree in a pot is a model
of beauty, when the thick clusters of fruit are
ripe. The tree is a healthy variety of the
Early Purple Guigne, not so liable to gum ; the
fruit is large, but the heavy clusters should be
thinned out to obtain size. Golour, a deep
glossy black ; flesh melting, sweet ; and perfec-
tion in flavour ; with a remarkably small stone
— a very pleasant feature in a cherry. In a
warm climate this sort would be a valuable
orchard tree, but this district is too harsh, and
it suffers in the open ground. As a wall-fruit,
it is veiy valuable.

The Belle db St. Tboui^, another of the
series, is a pretty and interesting Gherry, of
the family of the Griottes ; it is as early as the
Early Bivers ; the fruit is a bright, transparent
red in colour, with a melting and honey-sweet
juice. This is the first year this Gherry has
fruited with me out-of-doors. It will probably
ripen a week earlier than the May Duke. The
tree has a dwarf habit, though healthy.

The sorts of Gherries, which can only be
studied under glass, are very numerous and
interesting ; the variation in seedlings is fully
as great as in Peaches, and an enticing study is
open to the experimentalist ; but to insure success,
an orchard-house is absolutely necessary. — T.
Francis Bivebs, SawhridgeiVorth,'^Abndig<^
from the Gardeners^ Chronicle,')

EARLY-FLOWEBING PELAR-
GONIUMS.

G^ HAVE never yet seen any early-flowering
^ ro Pelargonium to beat the very old Album
^^^ multiflorum. It is unique in colour, not
white, but a very faint mauve. The form, how
ever, is not so round as in some of the newer
kinds. Floribundum is also a very free-flowering
kind, and its pip or half-open form is very
useful, as it shows its bright petals before
fully opening. These two early-flowering Pelar-
goniums are not to be beaten in first opening,
or in quantity of fiowers. We have scarcely
any other in quantity. Triomphe de St. Maude
is a very fine, bold flower, and no doubt will
become a very popular plant. At the same
time, I would remind those who want early
flowers not to forget the above two old ac-
quaintances, especially Album multiflorum, for
its uncommon colour alone. Gauntlet, too,
is a very free-flowering kind, and not easily
beaten in its way, but it is not of such a
good habit as Floribundum.— Hbnbt Knight,
Floors J Kelso.

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118

THB FL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

[ AUOUST,

THE NEW ZEALAND FLAX,
PHORMIUM TENAX.

(^Q HAVE now grown this magnificent
^ m decorative plant out of doors, at Castle
^^ Kennedy, for upwards of twenty years ;
and the more 1 see of it, the better I like it.
As a distinct, striking, ornamental, free-growing
hardy plant, it has no equal here. Many of
the specimens first planted form large masses
from 3 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter, with crowds of
upright, long, sword-shaped, light green leaves,
throwing up every season flower stems 10 ft. or
12 ft. in height, loaded in autumn with their
bean-like pods, and in most seasons ripening
abundance of fertile seeds*

Hie Phomtium Uncut has of late years been
extensively and successfully used here for de-
eot^tite purposes ; hundreds have been planted
on the lawn near the Castle, in the shrubberies
and around the margin of the lakes, in groups
and masses^ producing a telling effect. They
thrive weU in a gi^eat variety of soils, preferring
A moderate loam to a tenacious day. In
mossy soils they are quite at home, as also in
light loams, if not too dry. They thrive much
better in a moderately sheltered than in an
exposed position, but when planted in an ex-
posed situation, if the leaves are tied together
during the winter and early spring months,
and slightly protected with a few branches,
they thrive surprisingly. In planting in cold
localities, a site neither very high nor very low
should be selected.

1 prefer the latter end of April for planting
in permanent positions. Strongs well-esta-
blished plants should be selected, and slight
protection given for a few weeks, till the plants
get well established* If the weather is dry, an
occasional watering will aid much in securing
tiuccess. When planted, as is too often done,
during the autumn or winter, especially if the
plants are small, they are almost sure to suc-
dumb to the first severe weather, and the plant
is unjustly pronounced to be ^^ not hardy." I
do not mean to assert that in every locality
this highly ornamental fine-foliaged plant will
prove quite hardy. In inland and highly ele-
▼ated situations our winters may be too severe
for it, but in the warmer and less elevated
situations, particularly near the sea-coast, it
should be extensively experimented with, and
where it succeeds, it will well repay the trouble

of those who interest themselves in its cultiva-
tion.

Seeing that the normal species did so well
here, I procured, eight or ten years ago, a few
plants of the variegated varieties, and planted
them out of doors, in a warm, sheltered ntua*
tion. The result is that they grow neariy as
freely, and are quite as hardy, as the common
variety, the variegation being all that could be
desired.

This year we have introduced some of them
as centres of beds in the flower gaiden with
good effect, and I propose shortly breaking up
some of the old plants for propagation, uid
thus largely increasing our stock of variegated
plants ; others we propose to grow for flower-
ing, when interesting variegated seedlings may
justly be expected to follow. — Aeohibald
FowLEB, Castle Kennedy ^ Stranraer.

DRAC^NAS AS TABLE PLANTS.

!)HESE useful and handsome plants take
a foremost rank among those which are
suitable for table decoration. There
are now so many beautiful varieties, perfectly
distinct in form and character, that the same-
ness of aspect which was once so apparent
when several varieties were brought together
may now be altogether avoided. To be effective
as table plants, they should be furnished to the
base ; therefore, it is necessary to .be continu-
ally propagating, to keep up a suitable stock.

Undoubtedly the best mode of raising Drac»nas
in quantity is to propagate them from eyes. I
have also seen the tops converted into new plants
by partially severing the stem, binding the cut
over with moss, and keeping it continually moist
by syringing several times a day ; but it takes
some time for them to emit sufficient roots to
permit of their being taken off and potted, and
then they are very likely to lose their lower
leaves. The best mode of procedure, when a
plant is becoming too tall, is to cut the head
dean off, and insert it in a bottle of water con-
taining some pounded charcoal, to keep the
water sweet, and to place the bottle near or on
the hot-water pipes, so as to excite root action.
When sufficiently rooted, draw them out of the
bottle and pot into small pots, simjJj using
silver-sand, in which the roots will make n^id
progress, if stood in a warm, shady situation.
They will soon become fit to pot on to any size
required.— Geo. Potts, Jun.

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H^MANTHUS MANNII.

119

H^MANTHUS MANNII.

^[^N tliiB plant we have one of a set of hand-
^ % some sioye bulbs, represented by the old
^^^ HcemanUiw multiflorus^ which produce a
roundish head of bright red Amaryllidaceous
flowers. The plant of which an illustration
is annexed, was introduced to our gardens last
year by Mr. W. Bull, from Liberia, through his
collector, Ur. Oarderi and was flowered and ex*

hibited by him during the past spring. At
South Kensington it received a First-class
Certificate under the name of U, nipestris.

It has a large globose root-stock, with many
fleshy fibres. The flower-scape is about a foot
high, produced before the leaves, and is solid,
terete, and striped with purple ; at the top it
produces an umbel of from 80 to 40 flowers.

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120

THE FLOfilST AND POMOLOOIST.

[ ACOCST,

wbicli form a globose bead four or five incbes
across wben expanded ; tbe pedicels are brigbt
claret-red, and tbe flowers brigbt orange-scarlet
fading to crimson, tbe tube cylindrical, and tbe
segments linear lanceolate, spreading, a fiitle
longer tban tbe tube ; tbe filaments are of tbe
same colour, and ratber longer tban tbe seg-
ments. Tbe leaves grow up separately, after
tbe fading of tbe flowers, and are five or six in
number, oblong, acute, and sbortly petiolate.
It is a very desirable introduction, forming one
of a group of pretty, small-growing, manageable
stove bulbs. — T. Moobb.

JUDGING ROSES.

NE of tbe best works done, as yet, by
tbe National Bose Society bas been
tbe publication of tbe following outline
suggestions as to judging at Bose Sbows, com-
piled from tbe expressed opinions of leading
rosarians. Tbese rules were adopted, con-
firmed, and ordered to be printed and cir-
culated at a meeting of tbe Qeneral Committee
of tbe Society, beld on May IStb last, Mr. B.
N. G. Baker in tbe cbair : —

I.— Judges.

1. The Jadges shall, as far as possible, be Three
in number for all small Shows, and for all Sections
of large Shows.

2. The^ shall be selected principally from success"
ful exhibitors*

8. They shall have no manner of interest in the
Section in which they are Jadg^ng.

4. They shall begin punctually at the hoar
appointed.

II.—Boxss.

1. Boses mnst be Judged as they are in the boxes
at the time of inspection. No other consideration
of any kind is admissible.

2. The Boxes should be of the regulation size and
shape, and set ont with moss, nnless otherwise
specified. Boxes of the regulation size are 4 in.
high in front> and 1 ft. 6 In. wide.

III.— Prizes.

1. Ko Exhibitor may obtain more than one prixe
in the same class.

2. All Boses shown must hare been cut from
plants which hare been the property of the Ex-
hibitor for not less than three months previously.

3. All Boses should be correctly named,

4. The showing of Duplicates under the same
name, still more under a different one, will disqualify
the Exhibitor. Judges are expected to look closely
to this.

6* Judges have power to disqualify for any in-
^ngement of the Bales on the Schedule.

rV. — Method op Judging.

1. First cast out all bad Boxes.

8. Then compare the residue.

3. The following, when necessary, shall be the
method of comparison: — (a) Oae of the Judges
should count and designcUe the good Blooms. (&)
The ether two should stand by, and stop him when

they do not agree, (c) In erery difference of
opinion, a majority shall decide, (d) The result of
such counting shall form the decision.

v.— Points.
^ Where points are found necessary, they shall bo
allotted as follows : —

1. Three points shall be given for the best
blooms; Two for mediums; One for those not so
good, but not bad enough to cut out ; and an extra
point for a very superior Bloom.

2. One point shall be taken off from the Box for
every case of decided badness.

8. Teas and Noisettes shall have no especial favour
shown to them as such.

4. Where stands are equal in respect of blooms,
Judges shall proceed to consider the general eren-
ness, variety, arrangement, and setting-up ; the
boxes being placed side by side, and in the same
light, for that purpose.

Definitions.

1. A BLOOM or TRUSS shall be taken to mean a
Bose, with or without buds and foliage, as cut from
the tree.

2. A GOOD Rose must have form, size, brightness,
substance, foliage, and be at the time of judging in
the most perfect phase of its possible beauty.

8. A BAD BosB. All blooms or trusses shall be
considered bad that have faulty shape, confused
centre, or faded colour ; and which are either under-
sised, or over-sized to the extent of coarseness, or of
over-blooming.

4. Form shall imply petals abundant, and of good
substance, regularly and gracefully disposed within
a circular, symmetrical outline.

5» Brightness shall include freshness of colour,
brilliancy, and purity.

RASPBERRY CULTURE.

iONGST the yarions kinds of small
)A\\ fruits, the Raspberry is a general

favourite, and is grown in nearly all
gardens, however small. I have, however,
found it difficult to produce good fruit in the
strong soil of the kitchen garden here until
lately, when I adopted the plan of adding plenty
of leaf-mould and well rotted manure to the
ground when planting the young suckers. The
soil which I find suitable for the most successful
culture of the Baspberry is a rich alluvial one.
Peaty, sandy soils are likewise good, if treated
with plenty of rotten manure, put on as a
surface-dressing every spring, but there should
not be any digging amongst the plants, to dis-
turb the fibres, at the usual time of pruning
and tying-in the canes. To have a good suc-
cession of this fruit, some should be planted on
a north border, so as to be defended from the
full blaze of the sun by a south wall. The
autumn fruiters planted in this aspect will keep
up the supply till September and October,
when they are very useful for fiavouring ices.

I find the best month for planting Baspberry
suckers or offsets is October, for they then get

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Fi4.( oldi Si^nora Bianca

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. unt

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Fii5.Coldi Sij^nora Bianca

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PIG COL DI SIGNOEA BIANOA. — VILLA OABDENING FOE AUGUST.

121

better established than when this process is
left till the spring. In training and tying
the canes to stakes, the mode of doing so
here is to drive the stakes in a position
leaning to the north. The young canes of
the snmmer's growth then keep dear of the
fmiting canes, and as the fruit gets all the
sun, it ripens better. At pruning-time, if
the plants are strong and established, three
canes are enough to be left on each stool, if
fine fruit is desired.

Of the varieties, I find Fastolf^ Cutbush'a
Prince of WaleSy and Catier's ProlifiG to be
the best bearers amongst the red kinds ; and
Tdlow Antwerp amongst the yellows. The
autumnal fruiting sorts grown here are the
Merveille dee Quatre Saisona and the October
Yellow^ both good bearers, in fine warm
autumns.

The Baspberry is not subject to many insect
enelnies. One is a grub named Tinea corti'
cella^ which sometimes attacks the flowers
and young fruit, but is so seldom seen as not
to prove of any great injury to the crops.—
William Tillbby, Welbeck,

FIG COL DI SIGNORA BLANCA.

[Plate 473.]

^UB plate of this, one of the most
delicious Figs in cultivation, is derived
from a sketch made some time since by
Mr. Fitch, It is, as will be seen, a very hand-
some fruit, and being of such excellent quality,
it is one which can be strongly recommended
for general cultivation. We quote the follow-
ing descriptive particulars from Hogg's Fruit
Manual : — ^Fruit, medium-sized, pyriform, with
a rather long neck; skin thick, green, but
changing to yellowish-white, and covered
with fine grey bloom ; stalk short, stout ; eye,
closed. Flesh of the darkest blood-red, very
thick and syrupy, and most delicious. It

shrivels and dries well,
in cultivtaion.

One of the finest figs

VILLA GARDENING FOR
AUGUST.

^August, hail 1 fruitful, serene, and
calm," writes one of our poets. The
warm, dry weather of the second and
third weeks in July has done much to make it
a fruitful month. Wet and dullness have
changed to sunshine and brilliancy, and

serenity and calm have taken the place of
storms and winds. St. Swithin's has come and
gone, without fulfilling its ancient traditions.

Qbeenhousb. — Fuchsias are now the glory
of the greenhouse, supported by Zonal Pelar*
goniums^ Balsams^ MimtUus^ Hannson^s Muskj
Plumbago capensis^ Petunias^ and others. The
bright sunshine brings out an abundance of
bloom, and plants that are at all pot-bound dry
rapidly. They want watering two or three
times a day, while drying influences abound.
A little stimulus may be given with advantage,
such as Standen's manure. Amies' manure, or
guano, but they must be carefully applied. It
is a good plan to stir the soil, sprinkle a little
of the manure over the surface, and gently
water it in. This may be done twice a week,
but only in the case of pot-bound plants. The
subjects named above are kept nice and fresh
by sprinkling them with the syringe two or
three times a day, wetting the flowers as little
as possible. As the blossoms decay, they should
be removed, and Fuchsias and others should not
be allowed to form their seed-pods. Lilium
auratum^ L. speciosum^ and L^ eximum are all
of them fine subjects for a greenhouse, but
they should be placed a little in the shade,
to retain the beauty of the fiowers as long
as possible. The first and last are already
in bloom, while Z. speciosum and its varie-
ties are rapidly coming on into fiower. In
syringing, the water must be kept from the
fiowers. A little shading will now be of great
use in the Greenhouse ; if there is no blind, a
little whitewash should be laid on that portion
of the outside roof most exposed to the sun.

So far we have touched on what are termed
^' soft-wooded " plants. Hard-wooded plants,
such as Epacris^ Azaleas^ early-flowering Heaths^
&c., are grown by many, and it is of great im-
portance to well mature the wood of these, to
ensure a fine bloom next spring. They should
not have their shoots stopped after Uie com- '
mencement of the present month ; the danger
is that when stopped too late, it may be done
at the sacrifice of fiowers. Everything that can
be done to ensure the proper ripening of the
wood deserves attention. One good plan is to
place the plants thinly in the greenhouse, and
to keep the place well ventilated, both day and
night. The plants should be well supplied with
water, and exposed to the influence of the sun,
without the slightest shade whatever.

Flowbb Gabdbn. — A Flower Garden should
be at its greatest perfection in August, and thus
it is requisite pains should be taken to keep
everything as fresh, neat, and tidy as possible.
The flower-beds must be gone over frequently,
as recommended last month, as not only do
flowers fade and leaves decay, but weeds will
be certain to grow up among the plants. In
dry weather the soil, hardened by the late rains,
wUl be certain to oiuck, and this is best reme-

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122

THB FLORIST AKD POMOLOGIBT.

[ AUQU8T,

died by loosening the surfaoe of the beds.
There is this farther adyantage, that when
ndn comes it will not ran off, bat be enabled
to soak into the ground. Vases and ornamental
baskets of flowers on lawns and by-walks are
objects of great decorative beauty in a flower-
garden, and they need dose attention in the
matter of watering, and keeping them clean
and tidy. Little attentions go a long way to-
wards making a flower garden bright and plea-
sant for a lengthened time. HoUyhocks^ Dahlias^
DelphinumSj and other large-growing things
will require plenty of water, and the two former
will be greatly assisted by a mulching of dung
and rotten leayes. Carnations^ Picotees^ and
Cloves are now fine objects in the flower gsu*den,
and should be kept neatly tied up. Clematises
are now getting well into bloom, and by keep-
ing the shoots well tied out, the flowers are
seen to the best adyantage. Pick all dead
Roses from the trees, giye them a further mulch-
ing with manure, and syringe the trees occa-
sionally. This will encourage them to grow,
and giye good heads of bloom in September.

Kitchen Gabden. — Cabbages for Spring use
may be sown early this month, and Cauliflowers
may be sown, making two attempts, one early
in the month, the other about the end. The
best variety of Cabbage for spring use is
the Enfield Market ; and the best Cauliflower
the Walcheren— true. Those who are fond of
large Onions in early summer, should make a
sowing of the White Italian Tripoli and the
Giant Bocca the last week in the month.
Prickly Spinach for spring use should also be
sown, choosing a warm border as the site of the
Spinach bed. On plots of ground cleared by
lifting Potatos and dearing-away Peas and
Beans, sow Improved Snowbdl Turnips. Keep
Celery well watered, and the garden as free
from weeds as possible.

Fbuit Gabdbn.-— All wall trees should be
neatly trained, taking out superfluous growth,
and laying in such wood as may be required for
next season. In the case of Peach, Nectarine,
and Plum trees bearing fruits, wood-lice and
earwigs, as well as snails, become troublesome,
mreying on the fruit, and disfiguring them.
These pests need to be well looked after, giving
them no quarter. Those who have a crop of
MoreUo Cherries on walls, and may desire to
preserve them, must net the trees over to keep
the birds from them, and keep a look-out for
snails also. The latter are very plentiful just
now. We are sony to have to note that Apples
are falling very fast from the trees, as if
from imperfect development ; and the Plum
crop is being thiimed in the same way ; it is a
general complaint, not being confined to one
district, and bodes a yet greater scardty of
fruit than we had feared. It is a matter for
regret that the crop of both apples and plums
is surely becoming smaller.—- Sububbahvb.

SEED GERMINATION.

' a recent number of the Weiner Obst-und
Garten Zeitung, Superintendent Ober-
dieck relates his experience in inducmg
growth in old seeds of the Pansy. It has often
been observed, he says, that old seeds of the
Pansy will not readily germinate, and it has,
moreover, been found by experience that even
two-year-old seed will not germinate when sown
in the open ground if frequently watered. On
the other hand, self-sown seeds, which have
fallen on the surface of the ground, where
shaded by the plants, generally produce a thick
crop of seedlings. This led him to adopt the
following course of treatment, with the best
results : — He filled a box with soil, which was
pressed down level and firm with the smooth
bottom of a small fiower-pot, and then watered
so thoroughly that the mobture necessarily
held out for a considerable time without any
fresh application. Then he sowed the seeds
on the surface, pressed them a little into the
soil with the hand, and set the box down in
the shade. The little germs were soon seen to
be sprouting, and the rootlets quickly found
their way into the soil, so that the experiment
was successful.

The result was even more satisfactory when
subsequently sheets of glass were laid over the
'boxes, these being taken off when the seeds had
germinated. A repetition of the experiment
gave again quite satisfactory results. The
seeds were covered with a little fine earth
passed through a sieve, and they germinated
well, as did sdso others four years old, which
had been kept in small paper bags, and was
picked before the capsule opened naturally,
and scattered the seeds. Herr Oberdieck has
kept Pansy seeds (also those of Auriculas),
buried at the bottom of a fiower-pot, be-
tween two thin layers of soil, over which were
laid some pieces of wood, the pot being then
filled up and buried two feet deep in the soil.
When required for sowing they were taken
up, the esui^ removed down to the wood, and
then the rest of the soil with the seeds was
sown in a box and covered by a sheet of glass.
In this way old seeds (some stored a very loing
time) germinated freely ; and as pansy seed is
only obtainable in favourable years, it is well
to know how one can safely preserve it in a
state fit for germination.

Mr. Oanndl, in his Flw^al Guide, advises in
the sowing of seeds to ensure germination
by covering them up and keeping them in
total darkness until they begin to peep above
the soil ; then gently and gradually to expose
them to the light. ^ When a frame, pot, or
pan is covered completely, it ensures a uniform
degree of moisture and temperature, conse-
quently even seed possessing the merest life
will be sure to grow.**

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1878. ]

DIOSOOBEA BETUSA. — NATIONAL CARNATION AND PIOOTEE SOCIETY.

123

DIOSCOREA RETUSA.

VEBY elegant climbing plant, from conspicaoos, creamy-wUte, agreeably fragrant,

and grow in pendent axillary clustered racemes
nearly two inches long. The female flowers are
not known. Thongb nearly hardy, and pro-
bably capable of living daring the winter, if

SouthAfrica, described in the Gardenert^
Chronicle in 1870, by Dr. Masters,
bat only recently pat into commerce. We haye
to thank Messrs. Veitch and Sons, by whom it

DiOSOORBi. BITU8A.

has been sent out, for the illustration, which
gives some slight idea of its graceful character.
It has a veiy pretty effect when trained on an
ombrella-shaped trellis, because the drooping
clusters of greenish flowers then show them-
selves to the best advantage. It appears to
have been brought first into notice by Colonel
Trevor Clarke.

It is a very elegant climbing plant, with a
tuberous root-stock, unarmed terete stems, and
petiolate digitate leaves, composed of 5 to 7
leaflets, the upper ones less divided ; the leaflets
an stalked, oblong, with a retuse or abruptly
acuminate apex. The flowers are small and in-

planted against a wall in a favourable position,
it is better adapted for growing in a cool
house. — T. MooBE.

NATIONAL CARNATION AND
PICOTEE SOCIETY.

f SOUTHERN SHOW.]
^HE Show of J the Southern Section of
the National Carnation and Picotee
Society took place at South Kensington
on July 23. Considering the trying weather
of the preceding week and the forcing
temperature experienced a few weeks ago, the
show was remarkably good, a large number of

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124

THB FLOfilST AKD POMOLOOIST.

[ August,

fine flowers being staged. The date was too
late for the Southern flowers generally, Mr.
Tamer's especially, but Mr. Douglas managed
to bring his blooms out fresh and bright-
looking, and thus secured a high place on the
prize list. Time does not permit us to com-
ment on the numerous beautiful varieties which
were staged. We leave this general survey in
far more competent hands, and hope to publish
it hereafter ; in the meanwhile, we may state
that the Society owes its deepest obligations to
the energetic Hon. Secretary, Mr. E. S. Dodwell,
whose ready help is at all times brought to
bear on the best interests of the Society. The
awards were as follow : —

24 Carnations, 12 dissimilar. — Ist. Mr. J.
Donglas, gr. to F. Whitboigrn, Esq., Lozford HaU,
Ilfoi^, with Eccentric Jack; c.B.; James Douglas,
P.F.; Isaac Wilkinson, c.B.; James Taylor, p.p.b.;
Admiral Gurzon, s.b. ; James Gheetham, s.f. ; Bose
of Stapleford, b.f. ; Squire Heynell, p.f.; Captain
Stott, c.B. ; Bcv. G. Rudrick, c.B. ; Sibyl, B.F. ; True
Briton, s.b. ; Earl of Stamford, p.f. ; Bifleman, c.B. ;
Sarah Payne, p.p.b. ; John Keet, b.f. ; Dreadnought,
S.B. ; John Bay ley, s.f. ; James Merry weather, b.f. ;
Lord Lewishaon, c.b. ; J. D. Heztall, c.B. ; and the
Clipper, S.F. 2nd, Mr. G. Bndd, Underolifl, Brad-
ford. Srd, Mr. E. S. Dodwell, Chatham Terrace,
Larkhall Lane, S.W. 4th, Mr. J. Booth, Failsworth,
near Manchester. 6th, Mr. C. Turner.

12 Carnations, dissimilar. — 1st, Mr. E. S. Dod-
well, with Falconbridg^ p.p.b. ; Admiral Cnrzon,
B.B. ; John Keet, B.F.; James Gheetham, b.f.;
Mai^chal Ney, c.b.; Graceless Tom, c.B.; three
seedling scarlet bizarres, a seedling crimson bizarre,
and a seedling rose flake. 2nd, Mr. J. Douglas.
8rd, Mr. S. Brown, Gompton Road, Handsworth,
Birmingham. 4th, Mr. S. C. Buttrum, Burgh Mills,
Woodbridge. 5tb, Mr. G. Budd. 6th, Mr. B.
Simonite, Bough Bank, Sheffield.

6 Carnations, dissimilar. — Ist, Mr. Medhurst^
Priory Boad, Wandsworth Road, with Falconbridge,
P.P.B.; Mercury, s.b.; J. D. Heztall, c.B.; Lovely
Ann, B.F. ; Admiral Curzon, s.b.; and Florence
Nightingale, p.f. 2nd, Mr. W. H. Dodwell, Sydney
Vaia, Stockwell; and 8rd, Mr. T. F. Bumaby
Atkins, Halstead Place, Seyenoaks.

Carnations, single blooms. — Scarlet Bizarrea : 1st,
Mr. Douglas, with True Briton ; 2nd, Mr. J. Booth,
with (Garibaldi ; Srd, Mr. J. Fletcher, with a seed-
ling; 4th, Mr. S. Brown, with Admiral Curzon;
6th, Mr. Douglas, with Admiral Curzon. — Crimson
Bitsarrea: Is^ Mr. Douglas, with Jenny Lind;
2nd, Mr. Douglas, with John Simonite; Srd, Mr.
Turner, with Jolm Simonite; 4th, Mr. Douglas,
with Captain Stott; 5th, Mr. Doughis, with
Lord Milton. — Pink Bizarrea : 1st, Mr. Douglas,
with James Taylor ; 2nd, Mr. S. C. Buttrum, with
Sarah Payne; Srd, Mr. J. Hines, Ipswich, with
Eccentric Jack; 4th, Mr. Douglas, with James
Taylor; 6th, 2^. S. C. Buttrum, with Eccentric
Jack. — Purple Flakea: 1st, Mr. Douglas, with
James Douglas; 2nd, Mr. G. Rudd, with Ajaz; Srd
and 4th, lir. Douglas, with Squire Meynell ; 5th,
Mr. Rudd, with Ajax. — Scarlet Flakea: 1st, Mr.
S. C. Buttrum, with Annihilator; 2nd, 3rd» 4th,
and 5th, Mr. Douglas, with Clipper, John Bayley,
Sportsman, and Clipper. — Roae Flakea: Ist, Mr.
Douglas, with Sibyl; 2nd, Mr. Douglas, with John

Keet; Srd, Mr. Buttrum, with Mrs. Green; 4th,
Mr. Douglas, with Bose of Stapleford ; 5th, Mr. E.
S. Dodwell, with Rose of Stapleford.

The Premier Carnation, selected from the whole
exhibition, was John Bayley, s.f., shown l>y Mr.
Douglas.

24 PicoTBEs, 12 dissimilar. — 1st, Mr. J. Douglas,
with J. B. Bryant, h.r. ; Mary, l.p. ; Fanny Helen,
H.RO. ; Mrs. Douglas, l.p. ; Ethel, L.RO. ; Mrs. Niven,
H.p. ; Mrs. Bower, l.r.; Edith Dombrain, h.ro. ;
Prima Donna, L.P.; Brunette, h.r.; Miss Wood,
L.RO. ; Zerlina, h.p. ; Obadiah, H.s. ; Clara, L.R. ;
Miss Lee, h.ro. ; John Smith, h.r. ; William Summers,
H.R. ; and Alliance, h.p. 2nd, Mr. C. Turner, with
Princess Maiy ; Lady Beeston ; Lothair, h.r. ; Queen
of Summer; Rey. F. D. Homer, h.p. ; Brunette, h.r. ;
Zerlina, h.p. ; Royal Visit, h.ro. ; Lady SsJisbury ;
Lady Louisa, h.ro. ; Mrs. Wilson ; Lily of the Valley,
L.R. ; J. B. Bryant, h.r. ; Lady Carington, msd.ro. ;
Alliance, h.p. ; Mrs. Payne, mbd.ro. ; BrilUant, H.s. ;
Thomas Jiyens, L.R. ; and Mrs. Langley. Srd, Mr.
E. S. Dodwell. 4th, Mr. J. Booth. 5th, Mr. H.
Hooper, Bath.

12 PicoTBBS, dissimilar.— 1st, Mr. J. Douglas, with
J. B. Bryant, h.r. ; Miss Wood, h.ro. ; Mrs. Douglas,
L.P.; Thomas WUliam, L.R.; Mary, L.P.; Zerlina,
H.P.; Edith Dombrain, h.ro.; Brunette, H.R.;
Fanny Helen, h.ro. ; John Smith, h.r. ; Minnie, l.p. ;
and Mrs. Niven, h.p. 2nd, Mr. E. S. Dodwell. Srd,
Mr. R. Gorton, Eccles, Lancashire. 4th, Mr. G.
Rudd. 5th, Mr. S. Brown. 6th, Mr. B. Simonite.

6 PicoTEBS, dissimilar. — 1st, Mr. Medhurst, with

Robert Scott, h.r. ; Beauty of Cheltenham, l.p.; Prin-

' cess of Wales, h.r. ; Cynthia, l.p. ; Mary, l.p. ;

Zerlina, h.p. ; and Miss Lee, h.ro. 2nd, Mr. W. H.

Dodwell. Srd, Mr. T. F. Bumaby Atkins.

PicoTEBS, single blooms.— Eed, heavy-edged:
1st and 2nd, Mr. Douglas, with John Snuth ; Srd,
Mr. Douglas, with Princess of Wales; 4th, Mr.
Turner, with Dr. Abercrombie ; 5th, Mr. Douglas,
with Princess of Wales. — Bed, light-edged: 1st,
Mr. G. Rudd, with Thomas William ; 2nd, Mr. B.
Simonite, with Violet Douglas ; Srd, Abr. E. S. Dod-
well, with Thomas William ; 4th, Mr. B. Simonite,
with Violet Douglas ; 5th, Mr. G. Rudd, with Thomas
William. — Purple, heavy-edged : 1st, Mr. Turner, with
Mrs. Albert Chancellor ; 2nd, Mr. Turner, with Zer-
lina; Srd, Mr. E. S. Dodwell, with Zerlina; 4th Mr.
Douglas, with Mrs. Niren ; 5th, Mr. Buttrum, with
Lavinia. — Purple, lighUedged : 1st, Mr. Douglas, with
Mary ; 2nd, Mr. E. S. Dodwell, with Mary ; Srd, Mr.
Tumer, with Alice ; 4th, 5th, Mr. Douglas, with Mrs.
DouglaiB and Mary. — Boae or acarlet, heavy-edged :
Ist, Mr. Tumer, with Mrs. Payne ; 2nd, Mr. E. S.
Dodwell, with Juliana ; Srd and 4th, Mr. G. Bndd,
with Miss Horner and Juliana; 5th, Dr. Aber*
crombie, with Lady Louisa. — Boae or acarlet, light"
edged : 1st, Mr. Turner, with Victoria ; 2nd, Mr.
Douglas, with Miss Wood ; Srd, Mr. G. Rudd, with
Miss Wood ; 4th, Mr. H. Hooper, with Lucy ; 5th,
Dr. Abercrombie, with Victoria. — Yellow Grounds :
1st, Mr. Tumer, with Hon. Maiy Lasoelles; 2nd,
Mr. Turner, with Prince of Orange; 8r6, Mr.
Douglas, with Prince of Orange ; 4th and 5th, Mr.
Tumer, with Alice Waite and Prince of Orange.

The Premier Picotee in the show was J. B.
Bryant, heavy-edged red, shown by Mr. Douglas.

24 Sblfs, Fancies, or Yellow Grounds, 12
dissimilar : — Ist, Mr. J. Douglas ; 2nd, Mr. Tumer ;
Srd, Mr. H. Hooper; 4th, Mr. B. Simonite; 5th,
Mr. E. S. Dodwell. — 12 dissimilar blooms : 1st, Mr.
Tumer; 2nd, Mr. H. Cattley, Bath; Srd, Mr. H.
Hooper ; 4th, Dr. Abercrombie.

12 Plants in Pots, not exceeding Sin. in
diameter: — 1st, Mr. Tumer; 2nd, Mr. Douglas.

Firat'claaa Certificates were awarded to Mr.

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OABDBN GOSSIP.

126

Tomer for Bojal Visit (Aberorombie), a oharming
heavy-edged Bose ; Mrs. Payne, fine xnediom-
edged Bose ; Ophir, a fine yellow self Picotee ; Lord
Beaconsfield, pale salmony buff, with red edges, a fine
flower, with beantifolly-shaped petals ; Alice, yellow
ground, edged and striped with red ; Henry Tait,
yellow ground, heavy red-edged and striped; and
Eleanor, primrose-yellow, striped with red.

Altogether this was a most saccessfal Exhi-
bition, a large number of very beautiful flowers
having been staged. Indeed, it surpassed the
anticipations that had been formed of it, as the
heat of the past few weeks brought out the
flowers so rapidly, that in many cases the best
blooms of the southern growers were past.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

iHE Bosb-Shows of the Metbopolis

have been fairly good this year. That

at South Kensington, on June 18, was

limited, owing to unseasonable weather, but some
good blooms were staged, especially from Messrs.
Keynes and Co. H.P. Mens. E. Y. Teas and La France
were shown well in all the large collections. — From
the same cause, an indifferent show was anticipated at
the Alexandra Palace on June 22, but this proved
much better than was expected. Messrs. Paul and
Son, Keynes and Co., and Cranston and Co. took the
higher awards. H.P. Mrs. Laxton, figured by us some
time since, came out well on this occasion. — The
National Society's Bose Show at the Crystal Palace,
June 29, brought a fairly good competition, and as
a generekl rule the flowers were of fine quality,
though the previous extremes of weather prevented
some growers from showing in their usual style.
Messrs. Cranston and Co. took the lead in the Uu^er
classes, Mr. Turner in that for 86 singles, and Mr.
Cant in that for 24 trebles. The Amateurs showed
well, especially Mr. B. N. G. Baker and Mr. J.
Jowitt. Mr. Cant set up a splendid stand of blooms of
La Bonle d'Or ; and for New Boses, 8 blooms, Messrs.
W. Paul and Son were first, with H. P. Duchess of
Bedford, a dark rich red, intensely clear and rich ;
and Messrs. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, second, with
H. P. Earl of Beaconsfiold, rose-colour, with shaded
centre. — ^The National Bose Society's Show, at
Manchester, July 6, was very successful, upwards
of 10,000 persons visiting the show. Messrs.
Cranston and Co. took the leading prizes among
nurserymen, and Canon Hole and Mr. J. Jowitt
among amateurs. First-Class Certificates were
given to Messrs. W. Paul and Son for H. P. Countess
of Bosebery, and to Messrs. Paul and Son,
Cheshunt, for H. P. Mrs. Laxton, both fine new
sorts. — ^At the Boyal Botanic Society, on July 10^
Messrs. Paul and Son showed extremely well, and took
first prize for 72 singles, every bloom being perfect.
First-class Certificates were given to Messrs. W.
Paul and Son for H. P. Countess of Bosebery, a very
perfect flower, with beautifully shaped petals, the
oekmr a crimson rose, and the shape good j and to
Mr. Turner, for H. P. Harrison Weir, a very large
full and deep cupped flower, of a brilUant crimson
colour.

— QPhe meeting of the Botal Hobti-

GTn«TUBAL SooiEiT at South Kensington on

July 2 brought out some good new English

Boses. First-class Certificates were given to
Messrs. W. Paul and Son, for Rose Duchess of
Bedford, a grand H.P., well built, with broad petals
of good substance, the colour a bright radish
crimson ; and to Mr. C. Turner, for Rose PeiMlope
Mayo and Dr, Sewell, the first a large beautifully
formed fiower of the Marie Baumann type, and .
the second a fine flower, with broad smooth petals,
the colour intense cardinal-crimson, heavily shaded
with maroon. A similar award was made to
M. V. Lemoine, Nancy, for Pelargonium Eljrida, an
ivy-leaved sort, with large rosy-violet full double
flowers } for Pelargonium A. F. Barron, another ivy-
leaved, with full double pinkish-rose flowers; and
for Lucy Lemoine, a third ivy-leaved variety, with
beautiful double flesh- tinted pink flowers. Mr. Pear-
son, Chilwell, sent some seedlings of Pelargonium
echinatum, with lovely rosy-tinted bright spotted
flowers, which were Commended, but three of
which, Beauty, Ariel, and Pixie, were awarded First-
class Certificates at the Preston show, on the 10th.
The Fruit Committee on this occasion had quite a
display of Seedling Melons, and two varieties
proved to be so good as to merit the award of First-
class Certificates ; they were Netted Victory, from
Mr. Gilbert, Burghley, a thick white-fieshed, round,
and fine-fiavoured fruit, with the netting very
strongly pronounced ; and DelVs Hybrid, from Mr.
Dell, Stoke Bochford, a round g^reen-fieshed variety,
moderately netted, of most excellent fiavour, and a
good hardy constitution.

— ®HB Pbovincial Show op thb Botal
HoETicuLTUBAL SOCIETY at Prestou, opened
on July 10, and continued four days.
As an Exhibition it was a very fair success,
thanks to the exertions of the Hon. Secretary, T.
M. Shuttleworth, Esq. (whose absence through in-
disposition was universally regretted), the local
committee and authoiities, and Mr. A. F. Barron, on
whom, indeed, the carrying-out of the details ohiefiy
fell. Nor must we omit to add a word of just praise
to Mr. J. F. Johnson, of Belfast, for the felicitous
manner in which he laid out the principal show-
tent (see plan, p. 126), which elicited the most oom-
pliihentary notice from the noble President of the
Boyal Horticultural Society ; and to Mr. S. Jennings,
the assistant-secretary, who was actively employed
during his stay in helping to make the arrangements
go smoothly. The show was held about two miles
out of Preston, in a large field belonging to and
adjoining the nursery grounds of the Preston Plea-
sure and Nursery Gardens Company. The principal
portion of the show was in the large tent shown in
the annexed plan, which was divided into three span-
roofed aisles. The plants were disposed on turf
banks, of irregular outb'ne, with a gently sloped
surface, on which the pots rested at the proper incli-
nation, vrithout unsightly tilting. The effect from
the elevated points 1, 2, 8 was exceedingly
good, as was that of the litUe banks jutting
into the bays formed by the irregular water-
margin. The finest plants in the show were
those sent by the Hon. "^Secretary, which were
numerous, and consisted of all the choicest sub-
jects showing the most perfect cultivation. The
Qleichenias in this group were marvels of merit,
and a Lapageria alba, Dipladenia Brearleyana,
Allamanda nobUis, and Statics profusa may be
singled out as superexcellent amongst the fiower-
ing plants. M. Tudge/s, Mr. Pilgrim's, and Messrs.
Cole's Stove and Greenhouse plants ; Mr. Osman's,
Mr. Hammond's, and Mr. Pflgrim's Foliage plants;
Mr. B. S. Williams' and Mr. Osman's Orchids, Mr.
Bull's New j>lants, Mr. Laing's Tuberous Begonias,

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126 THE FLOBIBT AND POMOLOGIST. [AUOUST.

Mr. Pilgrim's Tender and Mr. Bolton's Hardy Ferns, Prizes, Mr. Ball's New Plant Cnps, and Measm.

Mr. Barron's Oonifers, Messrs. Cranston's Eoses, Mr. Carter's and Messrs. Satton's Yegetable Priaes

Coleman's and Mr. Bannerman's Collections of were interesting features of the show ; and the

Frait, and Mr. Miles' Collection of Vegetables were, Implement Yard was well worthy of inspection,

amongst many others, exhibits of a highly meritori- Though not expected to be a financial success, the

ous character ; and Messrs. Veitch, Williams, and show was so good, and showed so great an amount of

Rollisson each showed an interesting group of confidence in the society, that, we trust, the attempt

their choicest plants, novel and otherwise. The to reviye provincial shows may not in consequence

several competitions for Messrs. Veitch's Fruit be stayed, but may be again put to the test, under

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W9.]

OABDBN GOSSIP.

127

more favourable oonditiona and with happier re*
■alts. The Preston Committee worked well, bat
■omehow seem to have failed at the opening to excite
the enthusiasm of the townspeople, upon whom, no
doobt, the oommeroial inaotirit7, the recent strikes,
and the riots had acted depressingly, and over whom
the dripping clouds also had cast a damper.

— JThb Thirty-fifth Anniversary Festival
of the Qabdenebs* Botal Benbyolent Insti-
tution took place on July 3, at the ^' Albion,"

Aldersgate Street, under the presidency of Bobert
Mamodc, Esq. This gentleman has been so long
known and so highly esteemed amongst horticul-
turists, that a larg^ attendance was looked for, and
this expectation was realised, the hall being well
filled, and the subscription list reaching to over 600
gaineas, the largest amount, with one exception,
obtained at any of the fesUvaJs held in support of
this well-deaerving charity.

— She show of the Biohmond Hobti-

OULTITBAL SooiBTY on June 27 was favoured

by brilliant weather and active royal patronage,

so that success was almost assured. There was one
immense tent for the chief floral classes, one for
special prizes, one for table decorations and cut-
flowers, one for fruit and vegetables, and a fifth for
cuttings. Messrs. Yeitch's and Williams' groups
were very effective. Mr. Kiughom won first place
in the competition for effective arrangement. Mr.
James took the lead in the Pelargonium classes,
vrith bright, fresh-looking plants. A large com-
petition in table decorations lay chiefly between
ladies of the looalitj ; cut roses were shown largely
and well ; and of fruit there was a good display.
The entire show was a marked success, thanks to
the energetic labours of the active Hon. Secretary,
Mr. A. Chancellor.

— She National Oabnation and Piootee

Society (Northern) is to hold its Exhibition

on August 3, 5, and 6, in conjunction with the

great Cottagers' Flower Show in the Botanical
Gardens, Manchester. Schedales maj be had on
application to the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer,
EIbv. F. D. Horner, Kirkby Malzeard. Certain of
the classes are open to all, others to g^wers of 400
pans or less, and others, again, to growers of 180
pans or less. Any flower, or stand containing a
mutilated flower — i.e., one with a false pod, petals
clipped smooth, or calyx clipped, wiU be disqualifled $
as also will flowers having self petals, or bizarre
petals in flakes, or inserted petals. The flowers are
to be shown on cards, and their names to be plainly
written, and easy for reference to the Uooms.

— ®F Seedling Carnations and Pines,
Mr. Dodwell reports as follows : — Oabnations :
H, M. Hewitt^ Chesterfield, Crimson bizarre,
first-rate in every respect — mariung, colour, qaality,
form of petal, texture, and smoothness. A most
desirable variety, something between J. D. Hextall
and Captain Stott, but quite dissimilar. What is
it to be called? Charles Buckland, Chesterfield,
Neither of the flowers sent has any pretension to
first-class excellence ; the Bose-flake is far behind
the best of the present day. No name or advice,
postmark Wakefield. 6 blooms— 4 scarlet flakes,
Nos. 16, 29, 89, 40^ 1 crimson bizarre. No. 2, 1 purple
flake, No. 46. Had been packed with dry cotton
wool, and consequently were too much collapsed to
admit of a critical opinion on their merits. Judging

from the remains, all are worth further trial, though
neither indicated any advance upon the best
existing varieties. Fink: 8aml, Bnyion, Hands-
worth, Birminghanu 1, light purple, br^rht^ well
laced, large and full ; 6, dark purple, would take
high rank, save that the petal is inclined to curl ;
15, heavily laced purple, the marginal colour paler
than the eye, but good ; red-la^, unnamed, and
unnumbered, very lux>ad in the lacing, but wants
substance and smoothness. The three numbered
varieties are the best. Each deserves cultivation,
though no advance upon the best already distributed.

— ft BESiDENT on the west coast of Ayr
recommends as Shbubs fob sea-shobe plant-
ing Blackthorn and Austrian pine, to go close
to the sea; next in order, common Hollies, then
evergreen Oak, Arbutus, Sweet Bay, and the finer
evergreens, pines, Ac., all of which will live and
thrive, notwithstanding the salt in the air, if they
have only protection from the wind. The Evergreen
Oak grows into a splendid tree. The Araucariai
Sequoia, Taxus, and Cypress tribe will not form
specimens without shelter from the wind, although
twenty degrees of cold do them no harm whatever.

— She New Zealand Flax has recently
been recommended as consiitutbg one of
the best materials for tying plants. It is
superior to bast or Baffla grass, and being green, is
not unsightly. The leaves should be cut as they are
wanted for use ; they split freely, as fine as thread,
and almost as strong. It is a matter of great con-
venience to have a plant growing in the herbaceous
border from which a few leaves have only to be cut,
to supply oneself with a good tying material which
costs nothing.

— ®HE Hablitzia tamnoides is scarce in
cultivation, but its merits as a hardy dimbmg
perennial should secure it a place in eyeiy
garden whose proprietor loves plants. In Mr.
Wilson's garden, at Weybridge, where we have
often admired it, its profuse foamy masses of green-
ish flowers, like those of the Black Bryony, espe-
cially attract attention, as do the leaves, on ac-
count of their very long taper points and crimped
edges. The individual flowers, though small and
inconspicuous, are very elegant in the mass. The
plant has tuberous roots, and as it is a native of the
Caucasus, it should be quite hardy.

— ;flBt* Dboaisne has come to the con-
clusion that the shrub usually called Stbinga
PEBSiOA is rather S, chinensia^ and that the
epithet Persian Lilac should be abandoned in
favour of Chinese Lilac. The true Syringa
persica has, it seems, become very rare in cul-
tivation. In spite of the appellations, the native
countiy of the two species is still unknown, wild
specimens not being found in herbaria. The species
in question are, up to this time, only known in a
cultivated state. How odd, remarks the Oardeners'
Chronicle, this ignorance concerning the habitat of
many cultivated plants ! It is only the other day
that the Horse Chestnut was found wild; and even
now no one has seen the Mignonette in a wild state.

— She Madbbsfield Ooubt Qbafe has
been charged with the fault that its berries are
apt to crack or burst when nearly mature ; and
no doubt that has been often the case, possibly from
various causes, but chiefly from too copious a flow

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128

THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

{ AcauBT,

of flaid ioto them. A writer who signs himself
** Scotia " finds it a remedy or preventive to crop
more heavily than in the case of most other sorts,
which may generally be done, as there is rarely any
scarcity of incipient bunches, and to g^ve no water
after the berries show the least tinge of colour,
indicative of ripening. Mr. Ward, of Longford
Castle, has adopted the following plan with good
results : — Just before the berries begin to colour,
the shoot was cut " nearly half through," between
the branch and the joint preceding it, the super-
abundant sap, which, he says, is without doubt the
cause of cracking, being carried off by means of this
out. Mr. Ward also recommends heavy cropping.

— ®HE new ToDEA PLUMOSA is a very pretty

seedling sport of Todea, which has been raised

in the nursery of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of

Chelsea, where a considerable number of plants of
identical character, but differing from the supposed
parent, have been obtained from a sowing of Todea
superba. Possibly they are accidental hybrids,
brought into existence by the casual intermixture
of spores of some other Todea with those which
were ostensibly sown. It is of dwarf compact-
growing habit, and of a pale-green colour. The
surface of the fronds is moderately bristling with
the small, erect segments, as inT. intermedia, but the
fronds are shorter and more ovate than in that
plant, while the woolly rachis and stipes are also
wanting. The fronds are recurved and the pinnse
are recurved, while the ultimate segments are erect
or turned up. It is a pretty dwarf -growing addition
to those pleasing cool-house Ferns, and from its
small stature will be an admirable subject for grow-
ing in a Ward's case.

— 8Kb were agreeably impressed last
spring with the completeness of the arrange-
ments made for Stobinq Tubers of Gloxinias
A2^ OTHER Gbsnsraceous Plants in the great
horticultural establishment of M. Louis Van
Houtte, of Ghent. A long room, provided with
several tiers of stages, was completely filled with
tubers of all sorts and sizes in the most perfect pre-
servation, and in numbers so astounding thsit we
forbear to quote how many are in this way stored
annually. With us too often the returning spring
finds the tubers either rotted, or parched up, or —
etherealised, gone ! This often results from keeping
them in too high a temperature — from 70° to 80°,
which is much too hot. The secret of M. Van
Houtte's success in their preservation is, that they
are not subjected to extremes of any kind ; they are
dug up and turned out with their roots and leaves
attached, and such of the soil as wiU hang about
them, and they are allowed to dry very slowly,
surrounded by these iinpedimenta. During winter
the bulb-store is kept at about 50° F. The result
is that the roots turn out plump and fresh, when
required for planting.

— {j^HB SOUYENIB DE MaLMAISON OabNA-

TiON deserves a place in every garden where
cut flowers or choice decorative plants are in
request. The blooms are extremely large, and of
a very delicate flesh-colour. Toung plants are pre-
ferable for pot-culture ; those struck in May trom
soft side-growths, in a brisk bottom-heat, flower
within twelve months. They should be potted off
into 3-in. pots, in a compost of fibry turf and dry
oow manure, and as soon as they are well rooted

transferred to c<dd frames, in which they are set on
coal ashes, the lights being drawn off entirely on all
favourable occasions. In August they should be
shifted into 5-in. and 6-in. pots, g^reat care being
exercised in watering, as if at all soddened, or the
drainage imperfect, the plants are liable to die off.
Green-fly must be guarded against by fumigation
or the use of tobacco»water. During winter they
should be kept in a light, well-v&ntilated house,
with intermediate temperature. Such plants, if
successfully handled throughout) develope splendid
heads of bloom,

— ®HB varieties of Oaloohobtub, which, as

well as those of Cyclohothra elegana^ are very

numerous, are reproduced almost entirely from

seed, in the wild state. These plants, Mr. Elwes
notes, though able to resist a greater degree of
cold than they are likely to get in England,
require the protection of a frame to bring them
to perfection, as the leaves are produced in
winter or very early spring, and if exposed to
the weather get much injured. They g^row more
robustly and more freely if planted out than in pots,
and ujUess the soil is very warm and dry, are best
taken up about the end erf July, and kept dry till
October before replanting. They seem to make few
or no offsets, but in the axils of the branches small
bulbs are often formed, and if the weather is hot,
seed is produced in abundance. A more beautiful
class of plants, he adds, I do not ks.ow, and though
.the individual flowers do not last long', a great suc-
cession is kept up on one plant, and by having a
good number of species the bloom is protracted
from May till August.

— ^The Journal of Horticulture records
that Ebica candidissima is of great value as a
decorative plant when flowered in a small state.
This free-growing and floriferous Heath is highly
worthy of being grown in quantity where chaste
white flowers lasting long in beauty are in demand,
plants grown in five-inch pots producing four to
eight spikes densely laden with white waxy flowers*

— fSiVL, William Holmes, of the Frampton
Park Nursery, Hackney, died on June 2^, aged
57. He was bom at West Ham, cm September
26, 1820, and was a florist by instinct, having had
from his youth a real enthusiasm for florists' flowers,
the Dahlia being one of his first pets. In 1848» he
became gardener to Dr. Frampton, at Hackney, and
was soon known as a successful g^wer and ex-
hibitor of Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, Pansies,
Gloxinias, Pelargoniums, Ac. When Dr. Fitimpton's
establishment was broken up^ Mr. Holmes com-
menced business as a florist, designating his estab-
lishment "The Frampton Park Nursery." He was one
of the earlier promoters of the National Floricnltural
Society, established in March, 1851, and was a con-
stant censor at its meetings ; while^ in conjunction
with Mr. B. James, he originated the Stoke New-
ington Chrysanthemum Society. He was formerly
a frequent contributor to the garden periodicals, but
latterly became mixed up with parochial affairs,
having been vice-chairman of the Hackney Board of
Guardians and churchwarden of St. Luke's Church,
in which capacities and by his personal friends
he was alike esteemed, for his manly and straight-
forward business-like character and genial manner.

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Ixo-ra splendens

y. .u/:ar.e del p :,,, Pinnemaeker. Chro-mclr>.. (Gand" Be:$i<ri«

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i.]

IXOBA BPLENDENS. — GLEANINGS FROM DU BBEUIL.

129

IXOBA SPLENDENS.

[Plate
)HIS variety was raised by Messrs. E.
Cole and Sons, at the Withington
Nurseries, near Manchester. It was,
we are informed, obtained by a succession of
crosses, extending over a period of eight or ten
years, Ixora aurantiaca^ I. salicifolia^ and
7. rosea^ a species now seldom seen, being in
the first instance used as parents. These
crosses brought varieties of various forms, the
most conspicuous characters being in the shape
and size of the foliage, with nothing to re-
commend them in regard to the form or colour
of the flowers, some being pale orange and
others dull red. The most remarkable seed-
lings of this batch, as regards the shape of their
foliage, were selected for further crossing, /.
iaHcifoUa being in all cases used as the parent,
and after many unsuccessful attempts, Ixoba
SPLENDENS, now figured, is the result.

We have no hesitation in pronouncing this
to be one of the very finest Ixoras yet raised,
and one which is remarkably distinct, both in
foliage and flowers. The leaves, as will be seen,
are peculiar, in their obovate-oblong figure be-
ing bluntly rounded at the apiculate apex. The
flowers are individually large in size, collected
into magnificent heads, and of the most brilliant
carmine-scarlet, altogether unapproachable by
any artificial colours, but the general effect of
which Mr. Macfarlane and M. De Pannemaeker
have respectively done their best to reproduce,
and with very commendable success, in the
accompanying plate.

Tbe Withington Nurseries have always been
famous for the cultivation of stove and green-
house flowering plants, and the reports of the
leading exhibitions show that this position is
still maintained. As regards Ixoras^ the
Messrs. Cole have contributed the following
notes upon the way in which they cultivate
these most attractive plants. They remark : —
" Begular and strict attention to the temper-

474.]

ature of the house is one very important
matter, which should at no time be overlooked
or underrated. The temperature should never
be allowed to fall below 55°. Then the house
should be kept moderately dry. If a full
command of heat can be obtained, the moisture
may be increased ; and during the summer
months, a good sjrringing overhead night and
morning may be permitted in flne weather.
During the cold and dull days of winter,
moisture must be used very sparingly, or the
plants will soon be attacked by spot, which
gives them a very unhealthy and unsightly
appearance.

" With regard to soil, we use simply peat and
sand, being careful to select good hard fibrous
peat. It does not follow that they will not
grow in other mixtures, as we have seen very fine
plants of Ixora coccinea, in splendid health,
with from thirty to forty fine heads of bloom,
grown in a compost of peat, loam, and sand.
Great care should be taken to use water of a
temperature as near that of the house as
possible, or the consequence will be that
the plants will be thrown into a very un-
healthy condition. Many of those who visit our
establishment are surprised at the quantity of
growth and the freshness of our Ixora^^ which
look as free and robust as willows, sometimes
making as much as three or four feet of growth
in one season ; and they seem scarcely to believe
us when we show them the tank of clear water,
and tell them we use no artificial means in the
shape of manure. We firmly .believe that the
great secret of success lies in keeping the plants
clean, and in paying strict attention to the
temperature, which ranges from 55^ to Go'".
The following selection represents a few of
what we consider the most useful kinds:—
Ixora coccinea, I. amhotnica, L Colei^ /.
Prince of Orange^ I. amahilis^ /. Williatnsiij
and /. Fraseri,** — M.

GLEANINGS FROM DU BREUIL.

OED BACON has said, « He that in-
quireth much will learn much.*' It is
equally true that he who readeth much
will learn much. I am most thankful to M. Du
Breuil for his noble work on "Pruning and
Training Fruit Trees." It would be impertinent

No. 9. mPEBIAL SERIES. — I.

in me even to praise it. There is a great deal
in his book beyond my experience. I will, there-
fore, only advert to those recommendations
which I have experienced to be true. " On the
general principles of training," he observes that
the wood of trees ought to be symmetrical, as it

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130

THE FLOBIBT AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ Sbptember,

prevents sap being drawn to one side more than
to another.

1. The permanency of form in trained trees is
dependent on the eqoal diflosion of sap.

2. Prune the strong branches short, but allow the
weaker ones to grow long.

3. Depress the strong parts of the tree, and ele-
vate the weak branches.

4. Suppress the useless buds — on the strong parts
as soon as possible, and as late as possible on the
weak parts.

6. Nail up the strong parts very early and very
close to the wall.

6. Delay nailing the weak parts as long as
possible.

7. Suppress a number of the leaves on the strong
side, and leave them on the weak side.

8. Allow as large a quantity of fruit as possible
on the strong side, and sujjpress all upon the weak
side.

9. Bring forward the weak side from the wall, and
keep the strong side close to it.

10. The sap develops the branches much more
vigorously upon a branch cut short than upon one
left long.

11. The more the sap is retarded in its circnlatioD,
the less wood and the more fruit- buds will it develop.

12. To retard excessive growth, either daring
autumn root-prune or remove the trees, or at the
spring expose the roots to the sun and keep manure
and water from them ; retarding the excessive
vigour of the tree, leads to its fruit-bearing.

13. Keep the fruits as far as you can vertical,
and their stems lowermost.

14. Let the leaves lap over the fruit till neariy
ripe, when the light as well as heat must be allowed
to bear on the fruit.

There is much more in this noble work
beyond my limited experience. That which I
have selected above I have practised, and know
to be sound advice, having paid special atten-
tion to Peaches and Nectarines for twenty-
seven years. Once more let me thank Mr.
Du Breuil, and also the editor of the Flobist,
for the noble figures of the Peaches and
Nectarines sent by me for illustration, — "Longe
floreat Florista!*"^ "Longe floreat Fitch!'—
W. F. Radclyffe, Okeford Fitzpaine,

ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SHY-SETTING GRAPES.

GpgN the cultivation of plants or fruits, the
^ [0 plodding enthusiast devotes his attention
^^^ to what are termed "difficult subjects,"
and prides himself on his success in moulding
them to his will. For some years I have been
engaged in the cultivation of the different kinds
of fruit usually found in an English garden.
In this department it is quite unnecessary for
me to say that Grapes of various kinds always
occupy the first place in the front rank, and
judging from the magnificent examples of culti-
vation we frequently see at exhibitions, as well
as in private gardens, the horticulturist's sheet-
anchor is well worthy of that place.

As a cultivator and observer, I have always
been curious to ascertain the causes and con-
ditions which have led to extraordinary suc-
cess, and I have also paid some attention to
the causes of failure in the management of
difficult subjects. Many of our finest sorts of
Grapes, both black and white, being shy-setters,
we do not, as a rule, see them so well grown
as they ought to be. Either the bunches are
thin and straggling, with here and there a pro-
perly-fertilised berry, or, as is often the case
with that grand old grape. Black Morocco^
better known as Kempsey Alicante^ we see fine,
vigorous vines a complete failure through im-
perfect fertilisation. A short time ago I walked
through an extensive range of span-roofed vine-
ries. The vines, on the extension principle, were
growing with a luxurious, fruitful-looking kind

of vigour, by no means objectionable to the
man who knows how to handle the reins ; but
what was the state of affairs ? Hauiburgh.
Lady Downes^ and Muscats had set badly, and
a splendid Kefupsey Alicante, capable of carry-
ing a quarter of a ton of grapes, was running
rampant for the want of something to do. I
was told it carried a heavy crop last year, and
required rest. We often hear of the slip be-
tween the cup and the lip. ,To me, the most
annoying slip would be the loss of the crop,
after having succeeded in bringing finely-
formed bunches up to the flowering period.

If we turn to a good weekly calendar, we
find instructions to keep the house dry, warm,
and well ventilated, while the vines are in
flower. Many people follow this advice, and
fail ; so to make sure of our point, we will go
back to the beginning, {.«., the border. On all
soils for vines on the single rod, the bottom
should be concreted, and well drained with
clean broken bricks or stones. The border
should be made piecemeal, and underdone rather
than overdone with soil, an abundance of hve
active roots within a limited space being more
easily excited when the grapes are coming into
flower, and being capable of taking a great deal
more tepid liquid when swelling-off the fruit,
than if spread over a larger area. In all cases
where practicable, I give my vines the benefit
of inside borders, if only three feet wide, as I
can then lift and relay the external or internal

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1878. ]

CLUBBING IN GABBAaES, ETC.

131

roots alternately, for the purpose of keeping np
lively root action, without losing a crop.

Assuming that we are about to start, in
January, a house that has been well planted
with Muscats and AlicarUes^ with room for
extending the inside and outside borders as the
roots advance, instead of filling up the border
with a mass of compost, I should prefer cir-
cumscribing the roots by means of turf walls,
some feet within the space set aside for the
border. The trench thus formed I should fill
with fermenting oak-leaves, as soon as the vines
had broken. In the course of three weeks these
leaves would be cast on the top of the border,
covered with shutters, and the trench having
been refilled, root-action would be secui'ed
for the season. Meantime, the inside trench
would be filled with a mixture of horse-dung
and leaves, and the surface of the border,
slightly mulched, would receive moderate sup-
plies of water, at a temperature of 90° to 95°.
Under this treatment, growth being free and
quick, fine shows might be expected at from two
to four buds on every shoot.

So far the vines have not been distressed,
the warmth applied to the roots having assisted
them before the stored- up sap became ex-
hausted. The great point now to be considered
is a good set. To ensure this, we usually see
every bunch left to exhaust the vines by the
flowering process, at a time when they require
all the assistance that can be given ; the result
is a number of imperfectly fertilised bunches,
from which, with a great deal of trouble and
anxiety, twenty-five per cent, of the best are
saved for the crop, and the others are cut off
and thrown away as useless. After a narrow escape
of this kind, the selected bunches will contain
many stoneless berries, which obstinately refuse
to fill up the space they ought to fill. The
result is ragged bunches, through which a rifle
ball might be fired without touching them ; and
light cropping being almost as fatal as heavy
cropping, the vines lose their balance, the wood
becomes gross, ripens badly, and the second
year is worse than the fllrst. Now, had the
seventy-five per cent, of bunches removed been
cut off before they approached the flowering
period, those left would have set like Ilamhurghs^
probably without artificial fertilisation, certainly
with the aid of the camel-hair pencil passed
over every flower once a day. Muscats con-
tain plenty of pollen, and some grape-growers

draw the hand down the bunches ; but it is
not a good practice, as many of the outside
berries show a small brown spot at the apex
when ripe, caused no doubt by pressure or
perspiration. Kempsey A licante^ even after the
surplus bunches have been removed, requires a
little more care than the Muscat, and well this
noble grape repays all that can be done for it.

Having often noticed that Grapes invariably
set well when the points of the bunches are
drawn up by accident or otherwise to the glass,
I pay great attention to the position of these
when in flower, the more so as the Alicante
often produces a moist, adhesive kind of
matter, which prevents natural fertilisation ;
but by the daily use of the pencil, well fur-
nished with Hamburgh or Muscat pollen, which
is carried on a sheet of paper, this matter soon
gives way, and the Alicante then sets as freely
as any other Grape. Artificial fertilisation to
some may appear a very tedious process, but
having cleared the vines of the bulk of the
surplus bunches, the operation is quickly per-
formed ; indeed, half an hour each day while
the Grapes are in flower will ensure a large
house of well-set Grapes.

Of the varieties in general cultivation that
require artifical impregnation, I may name the
Muscats^ some of the Sweetwaters^ Mrs, Pince's
Muscat^ Black Morocco^ Venn*s Seedling^ and
Muscat Hamburgh, The Frontignans, Lady
Downe's, and the Hamburgh, on imperfectly
ripened wood of the past year, will also repay
the care bestowed upon them.

From the foregoing remarks, your readers
will gather that many years' practical experi-
ence has taught me that moderate-sized borders,
well filled with active roots, bottom-heat in
proportion to that of the house in which the
vines are growing, combined with the early re-
moval of surplus bunches, and the artificial im-
pregnation of those intended for the crop, will
lead to success in t&e most difficult subjects ;
while treatment the reverse of this is attended
with but partial success, or failure. I have not
made any allusion to the ripening of the vines,
as amateurs, to whom these remarks are
addressed, know that good Grapes cannot be
obtained from imperfectly-matured wood. —
W. Coleman, Eastnor.

CLUBBING IN CABBAGES, Etc.
OME three or four years ago, M. Woronin
read before the Natural History Society
of St. Petersburg a profusely-illustrated
memoir on the formidable disease called " Club-
bing,'* which occurs amongst the Brassicacew^
or Cabbage tribe. The memoir owes its origin
to the fact that a year or two previous to its ap-
pearance the disease was very prevalent around
St. Petersburg, causing the failure of the veget-

K 2

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132

THE FL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

[ September,

able crops, and that in consequence an inquiry
into its cause was instituted by order of the
Government. In Russia the disease is known
as Kapustnaja kila {Kapusta = cabbage, kila =
hernia). M. "Woronin was not long in dis-
covering that the cause of the disease was a
parasitic fungus, named by him Plasmidio-
phora brasstcce^ since the disease consists in an
alteration of the plasmodic contents of the
cells. As the result of repeated observations,
carried on through 1875, 1876, and 1877, the
life-history of this new parasite has been, in
great measure, traced out.

One most striking feature in the new plant,
36 already hinted, is indicated by its generic
name, Plasmidiophora, On examming the
tissue of an old, well-developed knob ofiP a
club-root, most of the parenchymatous cells
will be found enlarged, their starchy contents
gone, and they themselves gorged with a mass
of spore-Hke bodies. By the ordinary disinte-
gration of the cellular tissue, these spores will
get released, and after a lapse of six days, out
of each spore will proceed the whole of its
contents, which, colourless, but nucleated, will
move about like so many minute Amoebae.
These plasmodia will then attach themselves
to the delicate root-hairs of the nearest young
cruciferous seedling, penetrate the cells, and
thus contaminate the cellular tissue of the root,
which, as a consequence, in process of time will
develope the clubbed appearance on the surface.

" If cabbage or turnip seeds be sown in a
watch-glass, and supplied with distilled water,
and shortly after the first appearance of ger-
mination a number of spores of PlasmicUo'
phora hrasaicm be added to the water, these
will at first be found to float freely on the
water, but sooner or later will sink, and attach
themselves to the delicate root-hairs of the
little seedlings ; and in this way their whole
history, so far as now known, can with facility
be traced."

Referring recently to this subject in the
Gardener^ Chronicle^ the Rev. M. J. Berkeley
thus describes the changes which take place in
the ceUs : — At a very early stage of growth,
some of the component cells of the root become
very much enlarged, and filled with a granular
protoplasm, which soon becomes differentiated,
and at last gives birth to multitudes of spherical
spores. The most interesting matter now occurs.

— ^the spores germinate, but instead of producing
threads, as the generality of fungi, they give rise
to Amoeba-like bodies, closely resembling those
of the little dusty fungi known under the name
of Myxogastres, of which a good example is the
yellow dusty plant so common in hot-houses
where tan is used. If these germinating spores
are now sown, the young seedlings are quickly
affected. Sometimes every rootlet becomes
altered in shape, at other times the change is
partial, but in a short time the disease acquires
the usual appearance of clubbing.

Many attempts have been made to find a
remedy, but they have been hitherto unsuccess-
ful. The practical results which M. Woronin
deduces from his observations are as follows : —
The absolute extirpation of the disease appears
to be impossible, since any remedy which
might be useful is quite as likely to kill the
plant as the parasite. The following sugges-
tions are, however, offered with a view to limit-
ing its effects : —

1. The principal means of at least alleviat-
ing the disease is to bum everything which is
likely to propagate it, and as it has been
proved that it can be propagated by the spores,
our duty in this matter is plain. Old plants
thus affected are often allowed to lie about in
the spring, but they should be carefully cleared
from the ground and immediately burnt.

2. A careful selection of plants from the
seed-bed should be made, and none used which
are not perfectly clear. It has been usual
under such circumstances merely to pinch off
the affected rootlets, but this is not sufficient,
as the disease may exist in other rootlets,
which are apparently free.

3. A well-considered rotation of crops
should be adopted. It is suggested that the
ground should not be used a second time for
Cabbage worts till after the lapse of two years.

CROTON NOBILIS.

)HIS very fine variety of Croton — ^more
correctly, though less familiarly named
CodicBum — was sent out by Messrs. Veitch
and Sons, of Chelsea, with the accompany-
ing description : — " A beautiful variety, with
long pendulous lanceolate leaves, richly coloured
with many tints. The colours are crimson, yellow,
and green in many shades, the crimson being
predominent in the stems, the footstalks of the
leaves, and in many of the midribs, where it is
bordered by bands of deep golden-yellow. In

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1878. ]

THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS FLOWERS — VI.

133

CEOTON KOBILIB, OliaS CODIiKDM NOBILK.

the latest growth, the prevailing colour is light
sulphur-yellow, while the green portion of the
plant, at first a bright glossy hue, subsides by
age to the deepest olive-green. The gracefully
weeping habit of the plant, together with its

showy colours, cannot fail to secure for it a
large share of favour. It is altogether a noble
Croton, which we consider a decided improve-
ment on C. majestictis^ and worthy of a placQ
in every collection." — ^M.

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

No. VI.

^ N VARIETY, I would observe, that by
this term I do not mean exactly that
quality which gives value to a new
seedling plant, by reason of its being different
from others already in cultivation ; but a quality
to be looked for in any single given specimen
irrespective of others — that is, not compara-
tive, but absolute ; not as differing from its
fellows, but as containing differences in itself.
And this quality, as I observed before, may
arise from either of the three sources of form,
number, or colour, or from any two, or all united.
The Passion-flower, and still more the Water-
lily, strike the eye as much from their varied

forms as colours, and the Hyacinth derives its
principal and constant value, irrespective of
colour, from the same source. The petals of
the Ranunculus are alike in form and markings,
but their numbers contribute as much to an
appearance of variety as to fullness of outline.
And a bizarre Carnation, one which has two
colours besides the ground, is considered to
belong to a higher class than the simpler flaked
kinds. From whatever source, however,
arising, it is essential that the florist's flower
which would claim a high position should not
be deficient in this. In a bed or a border the
brilliant colour of some self-flowers make them
the most useful and attractiye of all, as the

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THE PLOEIST AND P0M0L00I8T.

[ September,

scarlet Qeranium, the Qentianella, the Lobelia
cardinalts or capntlea^ the Nemophila^ and
others ; but that is because variety is produced
by their being seen as a whole, and contrasted
with surrounding objects. Separate a single
blossom from the plant, and examine it atten-
tively, and you will find it flag in its interest
sooner than one in which relief is gi7en to the
eye by variety. Its properties are perceived at
a glance, and the eye has done its office ; and
our copybooks will be found to enunciate a
philosophical truth, when they impress upon
the child what the child knows better than any
philosopher, that it is variety that is charming.

"I. It is produced by form. No class of
plants apjproach the Orchids in illustrations of
this. Very few of their blossoms have simple
forms ; and when there is a leading feature, as
in the Papilio, in some of which a butterfly is
represented as faithfully as a bee in a Larkspur,
the whole blossom nevertheless is complex.
Indeed, it is probably as much from the endless
variety in every department of that quality
that is found in these flowers, as for any indi-
vidual superiority they possess, though this too
must be accorded to them, that they owe their
unrivalled popularity. But as these are be-
yond the reach of ordinary growers, I prefer
drawing my illustrations from more familiar
objects.

" A very good instance is the Fuchsia. At
present, and until F, spectMlis has revolu-
tionised the tribe, its pendulous character, its
want of petalous expansion, and its glossy
texture of skin unbroken for the greater part
of its length, seem to remove it in appearance
from the class of flowers, and liken it to a fruit.
It is, however, and will probably always con-
tinue, very popular, and it has several points of
high excellence, of which I have here only to
remark upon those which depend on the variety
of its outline.

^^ Flowers of this class differ from those of a
more uniform surface, in a manner somewhat
analogous to the difference between sculpture
and paintings, and are hardly more fit to ex-
hibit delicate markings of colour than a statue
would be. Contrasts, brilliance, or an attrac-
tive colour as a whole, are the points in this
respect in which their excellence is to be
sought. But the very unevenness of form which
prevents the finer uses of colouring, is itself
the parent of many advantages. The general
outline is ever varying, and never the same
from any two points of view. The ordinary
position of the blossom of the Fuchsia on the
plant is full of variety. The long and grace-
fully arched footstalk, the seedpod, the tube,
itself rarely cylindrical, the calyx, the corolla,
the anthers, and pistil, form a constantly
varying and pleasing outUne. But in this
position the petals are, for the most part, and
sometimes entirely, hidden, and if you examine

them, the tube is out of sight. It is owing
chiefly to this that the notched, starry appear-
ance of the open sepals in most varieties, so
disagreeable in other flowers, is no dissight in
this — indeed, it has a positive advantage in
opening to sight the contrasted colours of the
corolla within.

" Nor does it signify whether the variety of
form be in the substance or in the markings of
flowers. The Carnation owes much, though
not all, of its superiority to the Picotee or the
Pink (excuse me, ladies), to the fact that,
without violence to its general unity, it has no
two petals, and no two stripes on the same
petal, alike in the form of their colours. A
Calceolaria that has its spots or its stripes all
of the same size and shape, is tame compared
with one that is more varied in its markings.

"The Pelargonium and the Pansy have many
points common to both, and each flower has
its respective admirers ; but general estimation
assigns the palm to the former, and it may be
interesting, and not uninstructive, to trace to
the quality now under consideration some of
the superiority of the one over the other. The
number of petals, their form, the order of their
disposition, and their relative importance, are
the same in both flowers. The general outline
is, in the main, alike, and the required pro-
perties, as far as they can be compared, not
very different ; yet the ideas excited by them
are exceedingly dissimilar, the reasons of which
I will now investigate.

" 1. The Pelargonium has a throat, the
Pansy terminates at the eye ; and therefore the
former has a whole class of properties of which
the latter is deprived ; and these, though not
numerous, have a very influential bearing upon
the general appearance of the flower, and are
becoming of more importance to its estimation
every year. Here is an advantage in respect
of variety.

^'2. Again, an immediate result from its
closed throat is, that the Pansy cannot be too
flat ; whereas a flat-centred Pelargonium, like
Meleager, proves that the brightest colour loses
something of its brightness, and becomes flat-
coloured from the deadness of its surface. The
form of the Pelargonium has the advantage
again in variety, which gives greater effect to
its colours.

" 3. A corresponding difference is observable
also at the limb or outer extremity. Owing
partly to its flat centre and partly to its flimsy
substance, the edge of the Pansy must be flat
likewise. In fact, it never curves inwards but
when withering, or outwards but from inability
to support its own weight. The stouter texture
of the Pelargonium admits of its being slightly
either inflected or reflected, and thus another
source of graceful variety is obtained, the one
making an approach in form to the reversed
ogee, or Hogarth's line of beauty, the other to

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THE CULTUBE OF WALL FRUITS— XV.

135

that of the rim of a Tuscan yase. And Meleager
is, as might be expected, an instance in this
too of the loss sustained by a flower which
gives up one of its properties, for it is as level
as a Pansy. And therefore, notwithstanding
its very high colour and beautiful tint, it is not
brilliant. There is much value in the varying
surface of the Pelargonium, another proof of
which will be referred to presently under
another head ; and therefore, from its greater
richness in variety of outline, as well as for
some other advantages, it is completely re-
moved from fear of rivalry on the part of its
humbler but not less pretty sister, the Pansy.

" Variety may also be produced by number,
when the units composing it are alike, as in
spotted, striped, or double flowers. Thus a
spotted Calceolaria or a striped Marigold is not
destitute of variety, by reason of the many
changes of individual object the eye has to
take in. The same may be said of a double
Rose or Dahlia. Not that this is the only
object attained by multiplying the petals, be-
cause the general outline commonly undergoes
thereby a complete alteration, and properties
that were prominent before become subordinate
or altogether obliterated, and others take their
place. From this it happens that some flowers,
as the Tulip, are handsomer when single, others
when double, as the Bose. Nor is it always
easy to predict which of the two is the more
desirable form, until actual comparison has
decided between them. A few general remarks,
however, are applicable.

"1. To bear the double condition with
advantage the petals must be symmetrical, or
such as that, a line being drawn lengthwise
through the centre, the parts on each side of
this line shall be idike. For if otherwise, the
entire petal will have a peculiar and distinctive
shape, in which some, and perhaps the chief, pro-
perties of the flower are contained ; and these
will be hidden and lost in the double form.
The lower petals of the Pelargonium are sym-
metrical ; but the upper petals are not, and in
these the leading characters are found. And
therefore a double Pelargonium would be no
advantage. The double condition would re-
duce all at an equal distance from the centre
to an equal value, or else would make a one-
sided flower. It so happens that direct experi-
ment has in a manner shown this to be correct,
for this year I had a blossom of Aurora with
four upper and six under petals — ^an exactly
double allowance ; and certainly it was no im-
provement.

" 2. Size by itself gives no means of judging ;
for the Dahlia is as large as the Tulip, and the
former gains, while the latter loses, by being
doubled. So again, on the other side, the
Hepatica loses, while the Daisy and American
Groundsel, which are no larger, gain by it.
" 3. But size and colour conjointly do enable

us in some measure to form a judgment. For
if delicacy of touch in the strokes of colouring
be one of the leading characteristics of the
flower, according to which varieties are dis-
cerned and prized, the individual blossom is of
more importance than the mass of bloom, and
size (proportionate to the growth and habit of
the plant) is indispensable ; in which case
multiplying the petals hides the beauties and
deteriorates the character. A double Auricula
or a double Tulip could never be endued with
so many points of excellence as belong to them
in their single state. This is not the case with
a Rose or a Dahlia. They are large, but their
colour is valued as a whole, not in its parts ;
and the variety caused by numerous petals and
a flUed-up outline is advantageous to them, as
their size admits of such an increase without
detriment to their brightness.

" But if, on the contrary, it is the colour
itself, and not the pencilling of colour, that is
the characteristic, and the size of the individual
blossom be small, then the brilliancy is greatly
impaired by the flower being doubled. The
single and the double pink Hepa^bica are of the
same hue ; but the single one is far the more
striking flower, because its whole bright surface
is seen. In the double, the petals being so
small and seen edgewise, much of the bright-
ness is lost, and it looks comparatively unin-
teresting. In the Dahlia, Rose, and others,
the surface is so much larger that this effect is
not produced.

^^ The colours of the Cineraria are so bright, in
some instances so dazzingly so, that even while
its pretensions were far humbler than they are
now, I have doubted whether, in losing the in-
tensity of its hue, which would be unavoidable
were it to become double, it would not propor-
tionately lose its interest. It is now, however,
developing qualities which put the other
impediment also in the way, and render a
double Cineraria a thing not to be wished for.

" Of variety produced by colours I shall speak
under the head of Colour. — ^Iota."

THECULTURE OF WALL FRUITS.

Chapter XV. — The Apbicot (continued),

y\^ EFERRING again to the case of a tree
carefully lifted and planted in the re-
quired position in October, the mutual
action between the roots and branches must
never be lost sight of in the after-stages of
growth, as they depend upon each other for a
proper development. Cut away the roots, and
the branches immediately indicate that the
source of supply has been interfered with, and
become weak and attenuated. This is plainly
obvious to the eye of the practical man, and in

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136

THE PLOEIST ANP POMOI^OGIST.

[ Septevbbb.

like manner, reasoning by analogy, we are justi-
fied in concluding that when we deprive a tree
of a great portion of luxuriant leaf-growth, the
roots are a£Pected in a similar way. There-
fore, to put theory into practice, it is well in
the early stages of a tree so favourably planted,
to encourage a free growth in the branches for
a time, in order that there may be a corre-
sponding production of roots ; and this en-
couragement may be continued until the ter-
mination of the first or summer growth, which
will generally happen early in July. After this
there comes a period of rest or of stagnation in
growth, which is also about the stoning-time in
fruit trees of this class. Later on, the trees
break into a second or autumn growth, which
is seldom of much use, except to fill up vacan-
cies, for although the wood thus formed often
produces blossoms freely, yet, owing to the
incompleteness of the ripening process, these
blossoms are generally abortive.

As, then, the growth made in the summer is
that which is to be depended upon for the
production of fruit, it becomes obvious that
this early growth should be freely encouraged,
80 that when the summer stagnation in growth
occurs, the operator may have a good choice of
fruitful wood to lay in, to keep the trees well
furnished, and in sufficient quantity to absorb,
in its full ripening development, the most of
the sap sent up in the autunm. The late
growth then becomes a matter of little conse-
quence ; the more so, as the shoots which are
not required for laying-in are available, in the
case of the Apricot, for the formation of fruit-
bearing spurs, and will greatly assist in the
absorption of the autumn flow of sap.

Apricots may be trained on the same system
as the Peach, that is, to produce their fruit on
the young wood of the previous year, and in
this way the finest fruit may generally be ob-
tained. When this method is exclusively fol-
lowed, disbudding must be commenced early,
and the young superabundant shoots entirely
removed, without any reference to spur treat-
ment, exactly in the same manner as is
practised in the case of the Peach; but it is
justifiable to nail in a goodly number of shoots,
first to give the operator a good choice of wood
for the next year's produce, and next for the
twofold purpose of checking a too luxuriant
growth in particular shoots, and as aids to a

free formation of roots. As a general rule,
however, a combination of the two methods
is usually followed, as it ensures a greater num-
ber of fruit, which, although smaller, are very .
useful for the many purposes to which this
valuable fruit is applied. In carrying out this
latter system, early disbudding should only be
practised upon the foreright and ill-placed
shoots, leaving the remainder to grow on
without any check until the end of June or
beginning of July, by which time, in most
seasons, the summer growth will be perfected,
and the operator may at once commence to lay
in the necessary amount of shoots for the fur-
nishing of the tree. As there will be a good
choioe, the strongest should not by any means
be selected, but rather medium-sized and fruit-
ful-looking wood. The remaining shoots are
available for the formation of spurs, and as in
Apricots these shoots are often very thickly
crowded together, it is advisable that a pro-
portion of them should be entirely removed,
this affording an opportunity for cutting closely
o£P any large ones which show signs of extra
luxuriance, and for judiciously thinning-oat
the remainder. The shoots intended for spurs
should then be shortened to five or six perfect
leaves, taking great care to retain those leaves,
as upon their preservation depends the forma-
tion of strong fruit-buds.

I recommend the training to the wires or
walls, as the case may be, a good supply of
the summer growth, and leaving the spurs
rather longer than will be required for the next
season, because the trees, if at all vigorous, are
certain to develop a strong autumn growth, and
the more channels there are provided for carry-
ing o£P this superfluous energy, the less likeli-
hood will there be of starting into growth any
of the buds which ought to form the fruit-
buds for the next season.

This practice is more applicable and neces-
sary for young and vigorous trees than for
older trees in full bearing, for young trees are
apt to be over-vigorous and throw out coarse
luxuriant shoots ; and this method of permit-
ting the whole of the shoots, with few ex-
ceptions, to grow on undisturbed uiitil the end
of the first or summer growth, is calculated to
check over-luxuriance, and induce a more fruit-
ful habit in the wood; whereas, older trees,
in the production of blossoms and fruit, go
through an exhaustive process which acts as a
check sufficiently powerful to prevent over-
luxuriance of growth ; and for this reason, in
their case, an earlier resort may be had with
advantage to disbudding and stopping. — John
Cox, Redleaf,

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Cmerarias:
l.Piiik Perfection. 2. Queeii of Molets 5 Tlie PriRce.

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I***- -.

l.Pnikt'emcuuit.^ ,,,,,,,

^^ ^i ---vL^. o.merhnce."

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1878. ] DOUBLE-PLOWEBED OINEBABIAS. — NATIONAL CAENATION AND PIOOTEE SOCIETY.

137

DOUBLE-FLOWERED CINERARIAS.

[Plate 475.]

HATEVER rank as a decorative plant
the double-flowered Cineraria may
ultimately attain, there can be no
doubt that varieties such as those represented
in the accompanying plate are very handsome.
Some of the old florists, indeed, have expressed
doubts as to whether the doubling of the
flower-heads, as we call it — that is, the con-
version of the disk florets into ligulate petaloid
florets, like those of the ray — ^would be any
improvement in the Cineraria, but beautiful as
are the florists' as well as the decorative single
tvpes of this flower, there can, we think, be no
doubt that our illustration represents a type
which, if varied, is at least of equal beauty.

In days gone by, the old double-flowered
Jacobaea (Senecio elegans) was a popular and
favourite plant for greenhouses and summer
flower-gardens, and a nicely-grown plant of the
best variety was a very beautiful object. There
is no flower which the double Cineraria re-
sembles so much as the double Jacobsea, which
certainly has not dropped out of cultivation

from any demerit of its own, but has simply
been elbowed out of a prominent position —
like the Verbena and others — ^by the rage for
bedding-out, which has led to the undue aggran-
disement of the brilliant, but ever-encroach-
ing Pelargonium, which happened, by its free-
growing sturdy habit, to best suit that style of
gardening.

The double-flowered Cinerarias represented
in our plate were sent to us by Messrs. Dick-
sons and Co., of Edinburgh, and were, we be-
lieve, raised by them. They are very faithfully
portrayed by Mr. Macfarlane's sketches, of
which Fig. 1, called Pink Perpbotion, is of a
pale pinkish-rose ; fig. 2, Queen op Violets,
is a rich deep purple ; fig. 3, The Pbinoe, is a
deep magenta-rose. The flowers in all these,
and in some other named sorts which accom-
panied them, were perfectly full and regular,
and the inflorescence formed close dense heads,
of which a small sprig only is here shown.
We do not yet despair of seeing a race of good
double Cinerarias. — ^T. Moobe.

NATIONAL CARNATION AND PICOTEE SOCIETY.

[NORTHERN SHOW.]

j)HIS meeting was held, as announced, in
the garden of the Royal Manchester
Botanical and Horticultural Society, at
Old Trafford, on August 3, 5, and 6, and was
one of the most extensive exhibitions of these
flowers which has of late years been held in the
Northern districts of England. One exhibitor,
who, as we learn, did not so much as find a place
on the prize list, staged as many as 200 flowera,
and in the classes for single blooms it is pro-
bable that so large a number was never before
brought together.

Carnations were shown in very fine fresh and
matured condition by Mr. G. Budd,who had the
honour to grow the premier flower of the day,
a grand Mercury, b!b., and also Lord Milton,
O.B., finely coloured. E. Gorton, Esq., had a
bloom of Mercury scarcely inferior to the
premier flower, and a very fine bloom of
Eifleman, o.b. Mr. E. Pohlman showed a
fine B.P. sport of Lord Milton, which was con-
sidered to be highly promising. Mr. Booth
brought out a good even lot of fiowers, in-
cluding some Capital examples of the s.B. class

— ^Admiral Curzon, Lord Napier, and Sir
Joseph Paxton. Mr. B. Simonite's flowers had
been so punished by the unfavourable season,
that they were not of their usual high quality ;
nevertheless, he had some grand seedlings, of
which a s.B., p.p., and 8.F. deserve especial
mention.

Picotees were well shown by Mr. J. Booth,
whose blooms had the great charm of fresh-
ness ; and amongst them, Medina and Zerlina,
H.P., and Mary, L.P., were especially fine. Mr.
Gorton had a very fine bloom of Mrs. Fuller,
H.B., and Mr. G. Eudd a grand example of
Thomas William, l.b.

These flowers are very greatly influenced by
the seasons, certain varieties blooming well one
year, and but indifferently the next, when the
climatal conditions may be altered. This is not
only found to occur in the same districts, as the
results of successive years* bloom are compared,
but applies with equal if not greater force to
the differences presented by the North and
South divisions of the country, varieties that
bloom well in the North being sometimes very

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138

THE PL0EI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

[ Septimbeb,

inferior the same year in the South, and vice
versa. This is one of the difficulties of growing
these flowers in the perfection in which they
are required for exhibition purposes; and as
the nature of the seasons cannot be forecast
with any degree of certainty, it is necessary for
those who desire to stand well on the prize
lists to grow a considerable number of sorts be-
yond what are actually required, in order that
they may not be placed at a disadvantage by
reason of the varying idiosyncratic temperament
of the several varieties. The following are
notes of the awards : —

12 Caknations, dissimilar. — Ist, Mr. G. Rudd,
Undercliffe, Bradford, with Mercury, s.b. ; Sibyl,
R.F. ; J. D. Hextall, c.b. ; Juno, p.f. ; Sportsman,
8. p. J James Douglas, pjr. ; Clipper, s.f. j Mara, s.b. ;
Sarah Payne, p.p.b. ; Garibaldi, s.b. ; John Keet,
R.p. ; John Harland, c.b. — a fine stand, the flowers
being even in size and very fresh. 2nd, Mr. Jona-
than Booth, Pole Lane, Failsworth, Manchester,
who had, amongst others, good blooms of James
Cheetham, s.f. ; Earl of Wilton, p.f. ; Wilb'am Har-
land, S.F. ; Lord Napier, s.b. ; Mrs. Hurst, b.f., and
Splendour, s.f. — a very good stand. 8rd, Mr. Ben
Sinionite, Bough Bank, Sheffield, with a stand, con-
sisting mostly of his own seedlings. 4th, Mr. B.
Lord, Hole Bottom, Todmorden. 5th. Mr. John
Beswick, Middleton, Manchester.

12 Carnations, 9 dissimilar. — 1st, Eichard Gorton,
Esq., Eccles, near Manchester, with Mercury, c.b. ;
Rose of Stapleford, r.f. ; Mr. Battersby, s.f. ;
Albion's Pride, c.b. ; Fanny Gardiner, s.b. ; Rifleman,
C.B. ; Clipper, s.f. j Graceless Tom, c.b. ; Juno, p.f. ;
and Sir Joseph Pazton, s.b. — ^a very fine stand,
Rifleman and Graceless Tom being superb. 2nd,
Mr. John Fletcher, North Brierly, Bradford, who
had good blooms of Admiral Curzon, s.b. ; Sports-
man, B.F., and Mars, s.b. 3rd, Mr. T. Mellor,
Ashton-under-Lyne. 4th, Mr. Joseph Chad wick,
Dukmfield.

6 Carnations, dissimilar. — Ist, Mr. W. Taylor,
Middleton, Manchester, with Sportsman, b.f. ;
Lovely Ann, r.f. ; Admiral Curzon, s.b. ; Mr.
Battersby, s.f.; Earl of Wilton, p.p.; and Lord
Napier, b.b. — a very fine stand. 2nd, Mr. E. Pohl-
man, Halifax, drd, Mr. F. Bateman, Low Moor,
Chesterfield. 4th, Mr. W. Slack, Queen Street,
Chesterfield. 5th, Mr. John Whittaker Royton,
Rochdale.

Carnations, single blooms. — Scarlet Bizarres :
1st, Mr. J. Booth, with Admiral Curzon ; 2nd, Mr.
R. Lord, with the same ; Srd, Mr. Booth, with Lord
Napier; and 4th, with Admiral Curzon; 5th, Mr.
Ben Simonite, with a seedling ; 6th, Mr. G. Rudd,
with Sir J. Paxton. — Ciimson Bizarres : Ist, Mr. G.
Rudd, with Lord Milton; 2nd, Mr. B. Simonite,
with a seedling ; drd, Mr. J. Booth, with Captain
Stott, and 4th, with Lord Goderich ; 5th, Mr. G.
Rudd, with Captain Stott ; 6th, Mr. J. Booth, with
Eccentric Jack. — Pink and purple Bizarres : 1st,
2nd, 3rd, Mr. J. Booth, with Eccentric Jack and
James Taylor; 4th, Mr. G. Rudd, with Wm. Murray ;
5th and 6th, R. Gorton, Esq., with Sarah Payne.
— Scarlet Flakes : 1st, Mr. R. Lord, with Clipper ;
2nd, Mr. G. Rudd, with Sportsman; drd, Mr. R.
Lord, with Annihilator; 4th, Mr. J. Booth, with a
seedling ; 5th, Mr. W. Taylor, with Annihilator ; 6th,
Mr. J, Beswick, with James Cheetham. — Purple
Flakes : Ist and 2nd, Mr. R. Lord, with Dr. Foster

and Squire Meynell ; Srd, Mr. G. Rudd, with Squire
Meynell; 4th, Mr. R. Lord, with Juno; 5th and
6th, Mr. Ben Simonite, with seedlings. — Rose Flakes:
Ist, 2nd, Srd, Mr. G. Rudd, with James Merry-
weather and Lovely Ann ; 4th, Mr. W. Taylor, with
Apollo ; 5th, with Lovely Ann ; 6th, Mr. R. Lord,
with John Keet.

The Premier Carnation was Mercury, s.b., shown
by Mr. G. Rudd, of Bradford, and staged as cut from
the plant.

12 Picotkes, dissimilar. — Ist, Mr. J. Booth, with
J. B. Bryant, h.r ; Beauty of Plumstead, l.s. ; Ada
Mary, l.r. ; Zerlina, n.p. ; Ethel, l.ro. ; Mrs. Sum-
mers, L.R. ; Miss Homer, h.ro. ; Brunette, h.r. ;
Alliance, H. p. ; Mary, l.p. ; Medina, h.p.; and Edith
Dombrain, h.ro.; a fine stand of medium-sized
flowers. 2nd, Mr. R. Lord, who had of sorts not in-
cluded in the former stand, John Smith, h.r. ; Mrs.
Allcroft, L.RO., a superb bloom ; Rev. F. D. Homer,
L.R. ; Ann Lord, l.p. ; William Summers, h.r. ; Mrs.
Niven, h.p. ; Mrs. Lord, h.ro. ; Alice, ii.p.; and Miss
Small ; a very excellent lot of blooms. 3rd, Mr. B.
Simonite, with very fine seedlings, especially a light
red, after the stvle of Mary. 4th, Mr. J. Beswick.
5th, Mr. G. Rudd.

12 Picx)TKKS, 9 dissimilar. — 1st, R. Gorton, Esq.,
with Edith Dombrain, h.ro. ; Mrs. Fuller, h.r. ;
Purity, H.RO.; Norfolk Beauty, h.p.; Wm. Summers,
L.R. ; Mary, l.p.; Fanny Helen, h.ro.; Zerlina,
H.p. ; and J. B. Bryant, h.r. — a stand of fine, bright
flowers. 2nd, Mr. Mellor. Srd, Mr. Fletcher. 4th,
Mr. Chadwick.

6 PicoTEES, dissimilar — 1st, Mr. £. Pohlman,
who had in good condition. Flower of the Day, h.s. ;
and Minnie, l.p. 2nd, Mr. W. Taylor, who had a
fine Brunette, h.r., which has bloomed well this
year; and Mrs. Lord, a fine h.ro. Srd, F. Bateman,
Esq. 4th, Mr. W. Slack. 5th, Mr. W. Whittaker.

PicoTEEs, single blooms. — Red^ heavy-edged : Ist,
2nd, Srd, and 4th, Mr. R. Lord, with John Smith ;
5th, Mr. B. Simonite, with Princess of Wales ; 6th,
R. Gorton, Esq., with Mrs. Fuller. — Red, light-edged :
Ist, Mr. R. Lord, with Rev. F. D. Homer; 2nd, Srd,
4th, 5th, and 6th, Mr. J. Booth, with Wm. Summers,
Mrs. Bowers, and Ada Mary. — Purple, heavy-edged :
Ist and 6th, Mr. J. Booth, with Alliance; 2nd, Mr.
J. Beswick, with Mrs. Summers; 3rd, Mr. B.
Simonite, with Mrs. Niven; 4th, Mr. R. Lord,
with Zerlina; 5th, Mr. J. Booth, with Fanny. —
Purple, light-edged: Ist, Mr. B. Simonite, with
Mary; 2nd, Mr. J. Booth, with Mary; 3rd, Mr.
Mellor, with Mary; 4th, Mr. J. Beswick, with Ann
Lord ; 5th, with Mary ; and 6th, with Ann Lord. —
Rose, heai^y-edged : 1st, Mr. B. Simonite, with Lady
Louisa; 2nd, Mr. J. Beswick, with Bonny Jane;
Srd, Mr. R. Lord, with Miss Horner; 4th and 6tb,
Mr. J. Booth, with Fanny Helen ; 5th, Mr. Lord,
with Mrs. Lord. — Rose, light -edged : Ist, Mr. R.
Lord, with Mrs. Allcroft; 2nd, Mr. Mellor, with
Miss Wood ; Srd, Mr. B. Simonite, with Miss Wood ;
4th, R. Gorton, Esq., with Empress Eugenie; 5th,
Mr. J. Beswick, with Mrs. Allcroft; 6th, Mr. J.
Booth, with Miss Wood.

The Premier Picotee was Mrs. Allcroft, L.Ro.
shown by Mr. R. Lord.

ADIANTUM TETRAPHYLLUM
GRACILE.

UB gardens have long possessed the
Adtantum tetraphyllum^ a fern of tropical
America, better known, perhaps, under
the name of A, prioiiophyUum. Several forms
of Maidenhair-fern, more or lets varied, have

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1878. ]

HOW TO USE LETTUCES.

139

ADIANTUH TBTaAPHYLLUM QBACILK.

been included under ibis name, and wboever
will collect tbe A, tetraphyllum of gardens from
various sources will probably find he has several
difiPerent plants before him. In other words,
the A, Utraphyllum of gardens embraces more
than one form or species — probably several,
now so intermixed as not to be easily separable,
or referred to their original sources.

The plant represented in the accompanying
figure is another of these forms, distinct from
any in cultivation, and therefore distinguished
as a variety by the name gracile. It was intro-
duced by Mr. Bull, from the United States of
Colombia, and is of moderate stature, remark-
able for the beautiful reddish tint assumed by
its fronds, when they are first put forth. The
stipes is slender, black ; the fronds bipinnate,
elegantly arching in growth, and dividing into
from four to six pinnae, which are linear,
parallel-sided, six to eight inches long, and
terminate in a long lobe, which diminishes to

the point. The pinnules are nearly equal-
sided above and below, the end next the rachis
cut off parallel therewith, and the other end
cut off obliquely. The upper and less fully
fertile pinnules are serrated towards the tip,
the sori being interrupted, while the pinnules
in the sterile fronds are subfalcate. The red
colour of the young fronds gives the plant a
very pleasing character. — ^T. Moobe.

HOW TO USE LETTUCES.

3NY one who has a fancy for horticul-
^AxT ture, and possesses a kitchen garden,
however small, is sure to gi'ow Lettuces.
They give an exotic look to the garden, as if
they were higher in the scale than such crops
as Cabbages and Potatos ; and they certainly
have properties that neither Cabbages nor
Potatos can pretend to, since you can eat
Lettuces raw as salad on the spot where they
are grown, and on the instant ; while most

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140

THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ Septbhbkb,

kitchen-garden produce has to be cooked, and
is,'not available in the raw state.

There is a prejudice against^Lettuces on
account of the milky juice which they contain ;
and if people were condemned ^to live upon
lettuce alone, they might have good cause to
complain. It has been said^that^the green
curled kale, so important an item in the Scottish
dietary, corrects the heating tendency of the
oatmeal ; and the matter is not open to dis-
pute, for oatmeal and kale, and potatos and
milk, certainly feed the vast majority of the
people — and that both well and economically.
We are told that when the Northern and
Western nations returned from the Crusades,
they brought the Eastern fashions and luxuries
along with them, and discarded some views
and customs they once held, for the habits and
manners of the foreigner. In nothing has this
been so clearly seen as in the fruits and
vegetables introduced from time to time, so
that we now possess a very large portion of
the plants that can endure our climate ; and
these exotics are many of them staple articles
of our food, drink, and commerce.

Among the small fry of cottage garden
comforts, we place the Lettuce, whether Cos
or Cabbage, as an agreeable vegetable, vastly
improving our evening meals, and that at a
mere trifle of cost ; for although lettuces
can be transplanted when young into any
spare ground as a second crop, it is always
less trouble, if the circumstances permit, to
sow the seeds where the crop is to stand, and
afterwards to thin them out. A fine large
lettuce can be grown on a square of 9 in. on the
side, or say, sixteen to the square yard. This,
of course, relates to lettuces full grown, but one
object of this paper is to try to get people into
the way of eating lettuces boiled, as in Spain
and elsewhere, and in that case half-grown let-
tuces are quite as eligible as full-grown ones.
This gives quite a new idea of the crop, for if
the season is far advanced, so that there would
not be time to get turnips or coleworts to any
size, there would be time enough for a crop of.
lettuces, and they might be sown or planted
thicker in such a case. Any plant that is ten-
der in the raw state, as lettuce, celery, &c., is
certain not to- be tough when properly boiled,
and in the sunny South, where green vegetables
are scarce, and most things get sun dried, boiled
lettuces are properly esteemed.

There is, indeed, no doing anything well in the
way of cookery, unless you have a field or garden
to fall back upon. A few mushrooms gathered in
a pasture-field at grey dawn are, when in good
hands, certainly second to nothing save beef-
steak pudding in flavour ; and ketchup, often
to be had for little or nothing but the trouble
of gathering, is worthy of all praise. In the
case of the cottager's garden, the hard-hearted
cabbage is able to supply half the dinner ; and
he that dines on bacon and home-grown beans
has good cause for thankfulness.

It is not my intention to disparage second
crops, where they can be got, such as turnips
after a crop of early peas, but the short-lived
lettuces come in where few other crops would
be available, and the richer the ground the
more crisp and high in quality will the lettuces
be. They are topers for wet, and enjoy the hot
sun, so that where there are heat and wet there
will be no lack of lettuces, both for the salad-
bowl and the vegetable dish. There was an
old-fashioned custom among kitchen gardeners
when sowing the main crop of onions to
sprinkle a pinch of lettuce-seed at random
over the beds, and these, having plenty of room,
would come to be fine plants early. Under
the name of London Lettuce, the Manchester
and other Northern markets are supplied with
early lettuces from the South and from
foreign parts, and these realise high prices. — •
Alex. Fobsyth, Salford.

MARKET PLANTS.— VI.

The Laege-plowebed Pelaegonium.
G^F anything like statistics of the number of
^ ro plants of the Pelargonium grown every year
^^^ for the London markets could be collected,
they would astound by the vastness of their
totals. It is one of a few leading market
plants, and being an invaluable decorative sub-
ject, is in much demand. This is not to be
wondered at, for the plants are well and cleanly
grown, very large for the size of the pots in
which they are grown (48 size), finely bloomed,
of good and striking varieties, and very much
beyond in point of finish the Pelargoniums
usually seen in an amateur's greenhouse. Pi*o-
bably no market plant is seen to better advantage,
and is, on the whole, better finished than a Pelar-
gonium. How such a splendid plant — splendid
in its luxuriant growth and head of bloom —
can be grown to such perfection in so small a
pot is a surprise to many. At the Whit-Mon-
day show of the Boyal Horticultural Society,

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1878.]

VILLA GABDENINa FOB SEPTEMBER.

Mr. William Brown, of Hendon, one of the
leading market growers, staged a collection of
market Pelargoniums, among them a fine high-
coloured variety named Mermeros, and a plant
selected from the batch, growing, be it remem •
bered, in a 48-8ized pot, was found to have
seven main shoots, and these had branched into
various others ; and on these shoots there were
thirty-six expanded trusses of bloom, with
others coming on into flower. Why, it was a
fine exhibition specimen in a 48-pot — a much
better show specimen than is met with at many
country flower-shows, growing in an 8-in. or a
10-in. pot.

There are many growers of Pelargoniums for
market, but two of the leading ones are Messrs.
J. and J. Hayes, of Edmonton, and Mr. W. Brown,
of Hendon. The principal varieties grown at
Edmonton are Princess Horteme^ Kingston
Beauty^ Coronet^Rob Roy ^Duchess of Edinburgh^
which is considered to be superior to the newer
Duchess of Bedford, Boucharlat^ and Triumphant.
As several of the fine new "regal" varieties
originated at Edmonton, it is not to be wondered
at that they are grown also, since they promise
to make remunerative market kinds ; these are
Queen Victoria^ Pi^ince of Pelargoniums^ Prince
of Wales^ Princess of Wales^ Pi-ince Teck^
Beauty of Oxton^ and Dr, Masters. Other
market growers have a larger choice of varieties ;
Triomphe de St, Mande^ and others, are much
grown, but those given above may be accepted
as standard market sorts.

Mr. W. Brown, of Hendon, who every sea-
son markets some 6,000 plants (and one of the
large Hendon Pelargonium houses, when full of
plants ready for market, is a sight never to be for-
gotten), mainly of varieties raised by himself, and
very fine some of them are. Among these are
Mermeros^ Mermeros Improved^ Challenger^ T.
A, Dickson^ and Sultan ; and of older varieties
raised by other growers, Mahel^ Rob Roy^ Fasci-
nation, Reflection^ and Whetstone Hero, Mr.
Brown finds that high-coloured varieties find
a readier and better sale than do the lighter
ones, and by far the largest proportion of his
plants have high-coloured flowers. Mermeros^
Mermeros Improved^ and T, A, Dickson are
fine varieties of this type, well adapted for
market and decorative purposes.

Cuttings are put in from June to August.
Every bit of wood available for cutting pur-
poses is seized on, and when a batch of plants
is sent to market, they ai*e looked over, and
any branch that might be termed a superla-
tive appendage to the plant is turned into cut-
tings. In addition, certain plants are also kept
back for propagating purposes, and during the
three months named, the work of propagation
is carried on with avidity. The cuttings are
put in 48-pots in a light free sandy soil, and
stood on the front stage of the plant houses.
They soon root, and are then potted off singly.

the strongest into middle GO's, the weakest into
thumbs, and as soon as there is room to stow
them away in the houses, they are potted into
the market pots (48*s). The great thing is to
get the plants well established and thriving
in the GO-pots ; it is then that the foimdation of
the fine free market plant is laid.

Some people suppose that these market
plants are fed with exciting stimulants to bring
them to such perfection, but this is not true.
Very little indeed is administered, and very
many of the plants do not have any. The great
success is mainly a matter of soil, watering,
and attention. A rich soil is used, because it is
made up in great measure of well-decomposed
manure, dried almost to powder, a good loam,
leaf -soil, and a little sand. This is a holding
compost, supplying the plants with rare nutri-
ment. Watering is of the first importance,
especially so when the roots have completely
filled the pots. The plants are never permitted
to suffer for want of water. The plant-houses
are so light and airy that the plants cannot fail
to do well ; and then there is a constant round
of daily attentions that, apparently little in
themselves, are yet important factors in the
sum of success that crowns the efforts of the
grower. Sweetness of the pots is another very
important particular in successful cultivation.
A good market grower confines himself to cer-
tain subjects, and so disposes of his staff that
each subject shall be properly cared for just at
the right time. There is something akin to
scientific exactness in growing market plants,
and they appear to be as docile as children
when the course of cultivation is intelligently
ordered, and strictly carried out in all its
details. — ^R. Dean, Ealing^ W,

VILLA GARDENING FOR
SEPTEMBER.

AST month we were congratulating
Villa Gardeners on the brilliant summer
weather. It has passed away, and left
in its place a showery time — and such showers,
too I When the rain comes, it is with some-
thing akin to fury ; it is heavy, drenching, and
constant, but excepting that it destroys for a
time the beauty of the flower-beds, and some-
what interferes with work, gardeners have not
great reason to deplore the rainfall, for it is,
on the whole, beneficial.

Gbeenhouse. — All the soft-wooded plants
named last month are still in bloom, and if the
decaying flowers be picked off, the plants kept
clean, and carefully watered, will remain gay
for some time yet. Thunhergias make very
pretty greenhouse plants, but require to be
well grown and managed, as they are so sub-
ject to red spider ; they require plenty of pot-
room and waterings with manure-water, and

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142

THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ September,

also occasional syringiogs • over-head, to keep
them growing yigorously. The pretty purple
Globe Amaranthus^ Celosia pyramidalis^ Lanta-
nas in variety, Eochea falcata^ Agapanthus
nmheUatus^ Begonia weltoniemis^ and some of
the comnaoner tuberous-rooted Begonias^ with
others too numerous to mention, are very use-
ful and appropriate for mingling with other
things to assist the floral effect in the green-
house. A few Show and Zonal Pelargoniums
kept in reserve for flowering in September,
should now be allowed to grow on as fast and
vigorously as possible. If the roots are getting
a little pot-bound, a slight shift may be given
to the plants, taking care to break the balls as
little as possible. We have treated a batch of
plants in this way, and they are doing remark-
ably well. Little attentions to plants are now
of great value. The removal of dead blossoms,
and the picking o£F of dead leaves, with occa-
sional syringings overhead, give the plants a
fresh and bright appearance, and greatly help
the gay appearance of a house. Let the floor
be kept swept, and sprinkled in hot weather, to
keep it cool ; all these matters are valuable aids.

The earliest cut-back Show Pelargoniums
will soon be ready for shifting. This is best
done when the young shoots from the old cut-
back branches have shot about three-quarters
of an inch. Loam, sand, leaf-mould, and well-
decayed manure suits the Pelargonium best ;
and in repotting, shake nearly the whole of the
soil from the roots, cut away the old long roots,
and repot in a smaller pot. The plants may
then be returned to the shady side of the green-
house. Cinerarias^ Calceolarias^ and Primulas^
raised from seed, sown recently, will need to be
pricked off into store pots or pans, or the
largest put singly in pots, to grow on into size
for early blooming. Cyclamen seed should be
sown without delay, sowing in a good light rich
soil in pots or pans, and if possible raising by
means of a gentle bottom-heat.

Floweb Garden. — Many villa gardeners are
complaining that their bedding and border
plants are growing out of all proportion, and
quite spoiling the effectiveness of their summer
arrangement. It cannot be helped, for it is the
result of rain, and no human power can pre-
vent its falling on the plants. Eank-growing
Zonal Pelargoniums may be kept in check by
pinching out the leading shoots just above a
truss of bloom. Some others may be similarly
treated. If a dry late summer should follow
after the rain and the vigorous growth it pro-
motes, a good head of flower may be anticipated
till late in the season.

Now is the time to prepare for a stock of
plants for next season. Cuttings of anything
it is desirable to keep should be put in without
delay, placing them in pots of sandy soil, or in
shallow boxes flUed with the same, and getting
the shelter of a frame for a time. What is

propagated depends mainly on the means for
keeping the plants during the winter, for it is
useless to propagate tender things that will die
amid the cold and wet of autumn. Cuttings of
Pelargoniums^ Calceolarias^ Verbenas^ Fuchsias^
Lobelias, and plants of such hardy character,
can be kept during the winter without much
trouble; Alternantheras, Coleus, Heliotropes^and
such as are tender, cannot be kept except
in heat. Succulent plants, such as Sedums^
Sempervivums^ Saxifragas, Echeverias, &c.,
propagate themselves by means of offsets and
side-shoots, which if taken off and put into
pots, pans, or boxes, can be kept safely through
the winter : as may many indeed of a tender
character, if they be kept warm and dry. A
supply of Wallflowers, Canta^bury Bells, Fox-
gloves, Forget-me-nots, Pansies and Violas,
Daisies, Polyanthus, &c., should be got together
for spring, and if none have been raised from
seed, they can be bought during the month at
moderate prices. Such useful things as the
foregoing furnish the garden when something
cheerful is most needed.

Kitchen Gabden. — ^Last month a sowing of
Cauliflower seed was recommended. In some
very sheltered gardens the plants will stand all
the winter without any protection further than
what a south wall affords, but as a rule the
plants should have the protection of a frame or
hand-lights ; but, in any case, they must be
transplanted from the seed beds. Greens for
autumn and winter use are making rapid pro-
gress. Such things m Savoys, Broccoli, Borecole,
and BrusseW Sprouts should be kept clear of
weeds, and a little of the earth drawn up about
the stems. The Onion crop will soon be ripen-
ing off, and will need storing ; it is a good plan
to spread them out on a mat for two or three
days, till they become dry and hard. The best
way to store onions is to rope the largest, making
use of the small ones for culinary purposes flrst.

Fruit Garden. — ^Fruit shoidd be gathered
as it ripens ; bruised or fallen apples should be
used without delay. Cleanliness is of great im-
portance to keeping fruit, and wherever it is
stored, the place should be airy and cool.
" No growths," remarks a good fruit gardener,
" should be allowed to grow on fruit-trees now ;
everything should be done to expose the wood
(for next year's fruiting) to sun and air. A
good washing with a sjninge or engine should
be given to Peaches, Nectannes, ApHcots, kc,
to clear off all deposits and insects. If mildew
appears, let a good dusting with sulphur be
given. Trees are too often neglected as to
watering at the roots after the fruit is gathered ;
premature ripening then takes place, perhaps ac-
companied with mildew, and the wood looks hard
and fruitful, but seldom carries a crop of fruit in
spring." Villa gardeners will find in these re-
marks suggestions woiih careful consideration.
— Sububbanus.

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OABDEN GOSSIP.

143

GARDEN GOSSIP.

DHE Fruit Crop of 1878, as fully

tabulated in the Gardeners* Chronicle

of August 10, though not quite so

deficient as those of the two preceding years, is not
generally a very abundant one, althoagh perhaps
better than was at one time anticipated. Our con-
temporary publishes returns from upwards of 200
correspondents scattered over the whole of tho
United Kingdom and the Channel Isles ; and the
result of the information thus brought together
may bo approximately summarised as follows : —

No. of Aver- Over At., Under Av.,

Reports. age. or Qood. or Bad.

Apples 217 42 6 169

Pears 219 52 2 165

Plums 218 80 54 85

Cherries 162 96 41 81

Apricots 168 32 12 118

Peaches, Ac... 219 4« 18 102

Nuts 155 34 6 115

Small fruits... 221 100 82 33

Strawberries 215 65 145 11

Amongst small fruits, Gooseberries were a general
and exceptional failure. The acreage under Fruit-
culture is increasing year by year, notwithstanding
the increasing importations of foreign fruit. As to
the Potato crop, the reports are, on the whole,
satisfactory ; early sorts have yielded good crops,
and late ones have not promised so well for many
years past. The total acreage in Great Britain
devoted to potato-culture, which has been reduced,
owing to the defective crops of late years, was, in
1877, 512,471 acres, showing an increase of 7,383
acres over 1876, though still below those of any year
since 1867. In Ireland there has been a still greater
decline. But seeing how precarious is the crop, and
how largo is the importation from abroad, it is,
perhaps, not desirable that the acreage should be
greatly increased, more especially in Ireland, whose
damp, warm climate is particularly favourable to
the spread of the fatal fungus.

— Che Meetings of the Royal Hobti-

CULTUEAL Society naturally fall off in bulk

with the wane of the exhibition season, but

more or less of interest always attaches to them.
At the meeting of July 24y Mr. Turner received a
First-class Certificate for H.P. Rose Harrison TTciV,
noticed opposite, and Messrs. Veitch and Son ex-
hibited the pretty yellow-flowered, dark-eyed Torenia
Bailloni, On August 6, there was a fine display of
Tuberous Begonias j among which one named Mrs,
Dr. Toddy from Messrs. Laing and Co., a richly-
coloured and finely-formed crimson,' of good habit,
received a First-class Certificate ; as did one raised
at Chiswiok Garden, and called Chiswick Blushy
a fine blush-pink flower, of medium size, and very
free-blooming. Messrs. Kelway and Son received
First-class Certificates for three seedling Qladioliy
named QorgoniuSy rosy crimson ; HeroiSy rosy pink ;
and TelamoHy pink, shot with crimson. On August
20, the most notable subject, and that a gem of the
first water, was Cattleya Veitchianay from Messrs.
Veitch and Sons, a hybrid between Lselia purpurata
and Cattleya Dowiana, with large rosy-purple
flowers, the large, broad wavy lip of the richest
and deepest purple, with golden lines on the disk ;
the pseudo-bulbs bear one oblong leaf. This re-
ceived a First-class Certificate, as did Cattleya
Mitchelliiy from Mr. Mitchell, gardener to Dr. Ains-
worth, a purplish-green flower, with purple h'p, bred
between C. quadricolor and Loopoldii. A similar
award went to Croton Williamsii, a broad-leaved

free-growing variety, with crimson veins, one of the
best of the broad-leaved red-tinted sorts. Dahlia
Helen McQregory a deep blush, with purple tips,
and Prince Bismarcky a dark purple, were both
shown by Mr. C. Turner, and certificated.

— ©HE Pblaboonium SOCIETY held its
fourth annual meeting on August 14 at Chis-
wick, when the usual formal business was

transacted. Sundry modifications were made in the
Prize Schedule for 1879, with the view of inducing
wider competition amongst the members; and it
w^as determined to* award certificates of merit for
deserving novelties produced at the shows. The
balance-sheet presents a satisfactory view of tho
Society's financial position, showing a balance in hand
of £64, after expending £78 in prizes, and about £8
in necessary expenses. The following officers for
the year ensuing were appointed:— Chairman, James
Mcintosh, Esq., Duneevan, Oatlands Park; Vice-
Chairman, E. B. Foster, Esq., Clewer Manor, Wind-
sor; Hon. Treasurer, Dr. Denny; Hon. Secretary,
Mr. T. Moore, F.L.S.

— 21mong the New Eoses of 1878 are two

of much promise, of which blooms have been

sent to us by Mr. Turner, of Slough. One,

named Harrison TTetr, is of a remarkably stout,
vigorous constitution, with bold and effective foliage,
the leaflets cordate, acuminate, strongly serrated,
and fully 2i in. in breadth. The flowers are very
large, deep, full, and symmetrical, of the cupped
type, fully 4 in. across, with the larger petals 2^ in.
in breadth, smooth on the edge, stout in texture,
and of a rich velvety crimson, very bright and
dazzling on the face of the petal, and with a slight
purplish-rosy tinge on the reverse. The flowers are
very sweet. Altogether it is a grand rose, with
plenty of stuff of the first quality, so that it will
probably take a high place in its class. Dr. Sewell
is of a different style altogether, with more of the
Xavier-Olibo type. Though strong-growing, it is
less so than Harrison Weir. It has very thorny
stems, with leaves of an ovate and taper-pointed
form. The flowers are more open, with a few very
large, broad, smooth outer petals, most of them
emarginate, and gradually passing into smaller
petals, with which the centre is filled out. The
colour is a maroon-crimson, rich and satiny, irregu-
larly breaking into bright crimson at the margin,
and where tho petals are involved so as to show
their reverse sides, of a satiny tint of cardinal-red,
paler than the face of the flower. Our English
seedling Roses are taking a foremost position this
season.

— jQSb. Hemslet contributes the following
note from Prof. Koch, relating to the Persian
Lilac referred to at p. 127 : — " At present we
know six species of Syringa [flf. villosay Vahl, col-
lected by Turczaninow, in North China, appears to
be a distinct species; and LigustHna amurensis
cannot be separated generically from Syringa],
whereof two, S. vulgaris and 8. JosikoaOy are indi-
genous to South-Eastern Europe ; two, S. chinensis
and S. ohlatOy to the Celestial Empire, and 8. Emodi
to the Himalayan Mountains ; whereas the native
country of 8. persica is still uncertain. The last
played an important part in Persia before the Rose
took the first place. According to Mr. Wetzstein, who
was Consul at Damascus for many years, it was
first known to the Persians and Arabs about tho
year 1200, and it is very probable that it was intro-

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144

THE FLOBIST AND P0H0L00I8T.

[ 6EPTKMBEB,

daced from Persian gardens into Europe. That it
is not a native of Persia is beyond donbt. Lerche,
who died at St. Petersburg in 1780, found this species
wild in the Eastern Caucasus, but certainly not
indigenous. M. Decaisne believes that it will prove
to be a native of South- Eastern Europe. IS. peraica
is cultivated in Kashmir and Lahore ; and Brandis
states that Dr. Stewart found the entire-leaved
variety apparently wild near Kanigorum, the chief
village of Waziristan, on the eastern flsink of the
SuUman range, at 8,000 feet.] 8. rothotnagensis is
undoubtedly 8. chincTisis (the 8, duhia of Persoon),
and is a wild species, native of North China, as
Decaisne has proved, by comparing Bunge's original
specimen."

— She Febn8 at Lambton Castle are
grown in a house that affords very much more
light than tlie structureB usually devoted to
these plants, and are very thinly shaded. The
result is that all are much more enduring than when
grown in a darker situation, and the tints of the
young fronds of some are almost indescribable —
Adiantum farleyense, for instance. The fronds of
this fern, as is well known, are influenced in colour
by the light they receive, but in the plants here it
existed to an extent we have not previously met
with. The leaves up to being almost fully grown
were of the most beautiful deep pinkish magenta,
and many other sorts were alike influenced.

— ^B. Peabson, of Chilwell, has recently

exhibited some seedlings from PELABOOKnTM

EOHiNATUM, showing that the species has been

broken into, and may yield varieties of increasing
merit. His four seedlings were named Pixie,
Hybridum, Ariel, and Beauty. They were free-
flowering and neat-growing plants, with colours of
the softest and loveliest tints of pink and rose.
Ariel and Beauty are a decided advance upon any-
thing that has been seen before from Uie same
breed, and deserve the appreciation of the floral
public.

— - 0HB pretty dwarf Daphke Blaoatana,
a neat-growing, hardy, spring-flowering shrub,
with abundant creamy-white flowers, in umbels
1^ inch across, is said to be one of the most beau-
tiful and rare plants of the Camiolian flora, and
extremely fragrant. It grows there with Eriea
camea, in cflJoareous soil, and is not only a good
plant for forcing purposes, but will form a good
low-growing hardy shrub for calcareous rocks.

— ®HB beautiful Pinguioula vallisnebls-
POLIA has been recently figured in the Garden,
It differs from others in its clustered habit of
growth, several crowns being sometimes densely
massed together in one clump. The leaves are
yellowish-green, and almost pellucid, linear or
linear-oblong, undulated, and towards the end of the
season become much elongated, not unfrequently
measuring from 4 to 7 in. long. The flowers, which
are large, are of a soft purple or lilac-purple, with
large white or pale centres, the lobes more spreading
than in P. grandiflora. Dripping fissures and ledges
of calcareouB rocks (frequently in tufa) soit it per-
fectly. It requires very free drainage, continuous
moisture, and a very humid atmosphere. It comes
from the lofty mountains of Spain.

— Sn order to Floweb the Amabtllis
WELL, Mr. Douglas recommends the use of small

pots — a 48 for medium bulbs, and a 32 for the
largest. The soil should be good turfy clayey loam,
a small portion of leaf-mould and rotted manure,
with a dash of sharp sand. Two- thirds of the bulb
should be above ground, and the compost must be
pressed firmly round its base. The bulbs should be
potted when they are at rest. When the plants
have done flowering, they should be placed in a
warm house until growth is completed, then
gpradually inured to cooler treatment ; and when the
bulbs are ripe, water must be entirely withheld.

— SJIt a recent meeting of the Linnaean

Society, Mr. J. B. Jackson exhibited specimens

of YucoA BACCATA, of Torrey, consisting of

fruits, leaves, and portions of the stem, the latter
being used as a substitute for soap. This plant ex-
tends from South Colorado far into Mexico; and
while northwards it is acaulescent, southwards it
developes a trunk ten feet high. The fruit, a dark-
purple berry, is preserved and eaten as winter pro-
vision, and the plant is commonly kno^in as the
Bocky Mountain Banana.

— fiK' A. Thozet died on June 1, at
Bockhampton, Queensland. He was one of the
most earnest and indefatigable practical natural-
ists in Austraha, and his efforts in the introdaction
of useful plants to the colony in which he resided
were worthy of all praise.

— jQS. Babth^emy Du Mobtieb, Count of
the Holy Boman Empire, Minister of State,
died on July 9, at Toumai, in his 82nd year.
M. Du Mortier was the leading botanist of Belgium,
and though of late years better known as a politiciau
than a botanist, he was enabled as a Minister to
do excellent service in promoting the organisation of
the Botanic Garden at Brussels, with its herbaria,
museums, and library.

— ;0Kb. James Flemiko, the well-known
seedsman, of l^ew York, died on July 10, at
the age of 45. He was an excellent type of a
Scotch gardener — an educated, intelligent roan,
thoroughly versed in all the branches of horticulture,
and besides, an excellent botanist. Open-handed,
open-hearted, genial, and hearty always, he will
long be remembered by scores of poor fellows into
whose plodding lives he threw many a gleam of
sunshine.

— fflB.. BoBEBT Sim died at Foot's Cray
on August 3. He was bom at Belhelvie, near
Aberdeen, on August 26, 17D1, and conse-
quently had nearly completed his 87th year. After
being educated in Aberdeen, he found employment
in the nurseries of Messrs. Keid and Son, of that city,
and subsequently for a time at Slains, Methven
and Wemyss Castles, Donibristle, and Messrs.
Dicksons and Co.'s Edinburgh Nurseries, whence
in 1814 he turned his face Southwards. At Messrs.
Cormack and Co.*s nurseries, at New Cross, Mr.
Sinclair found in him a willing pupil in the study
of our native and other forage grasses. After
serving the late J. Bercns, Sen., Esq., at Kevington,
for several years, he established, in 1830, a nursery
at Foot's Cray, which has since become famous for
its inimitable trade collection of both British and
foreign ferns.

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C.T.Rosen\)erg. del. Chromo Stroot ant. Ghent.

Auricula Frank Simonite

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1878. ]

ATIBICULA FRANK SIMONITE. — POT HYACINTHS FOB EXHIBITION.

145

AURICULA FRANK SIMONITE.

[Plate 476.]

!)HE edged Anricola, of which a specimen
is given here, is not an easy subject for
a coloured portrait, especially because
the exquisitely-powdered surface of the edge in
white and grey varieties, and the velvety
texture of the ground-colours in them all, can
only be approximately given in a picture ; while
also the precise tints of the ground-colours, and
the greens of the green edges are difficult to
secure through the different processes under
which the printed coloured plate must pass.

In his Auricula the florist is literally " par-
ticular to a shade," for the slightest variation
in the coloured and alterable divisions of the
flower, in either proportion or colouring, is
sufficient in his sight to constitute a difference
great enough for a distinction. Wherefore, it
as little follows that any slack representation
of an "edge," "body-colour," "paste," and
" tube " should be the likeness of any particu-
lar Auricula, as that any sort of arrangement
of eyes, nose, and mouth one meets with in a
face, should form the features of some dear
friend.

It will, I am sure, not be taken amiss, after
what I have said, if I remark that in the in-
imitable living freshness of the original of the
flower figured here, there is a bluer touch in
the ground-colour. Indeed, a large part of the
charm and value of this new variety, lies in
the beauty and novelty of this very blueness.
It is a step nearer to a lovely, and we will
hope not far distant class, one of white edges
with blue ground-colours ; and a still better
approach than this came among the same lot
of seedlings, but it only lived to be named and
once seen at the Crystal Palace Show of 1877.

Fbank SmoNiTE is a decidedly good
Auricula. The tube, indeed, is not the bright
lemon or orange-gold that we so prize ; but
still there is a tint of cowslip in the colour of

it, and at any rate, it does not prematurely
fade into a watery green. It is really very
good, considering the fact that hitherto all
Auriculas, whether edged or selfs, that have
shades of blue in them, have shown an utter
disregard for a yellow or golden tube. Such
would be a lovely addition ; and though we
have not got it yet, still we do not rest with-
out it. In Frank Simonite the paste is broad,
brilliant, and circular, and of the purest white,
although for artistic reasons, shadows rest on
it in the picture. The body-colour is a rich,
velvety, deep violet-blue, bold and well-pro-
portioned, and the edge is a true, pure, lasting
white of great density and of proper breadth.
Pip of good substance with rounded petal,
flattening kindly and well. Plant a very free
bloomer, and of very handsome half-mealed
habit. Foliage plentiful, broad, and deeply
notched.

Edged Auriculas, with any other ground-
colour than black, may even yet, strangely
enough, meet with some blind disfavour, as
they have done with growers in the North of
England aforetime. No doubt a black-ground
Auricula, so poorly coloured, or so far out of
condition as to have several weak blue or
brownish shades in a colouring which, in its per-
fection, is black, would rightly enough be com-
plained of, and called " chaney," as the technical
term of reproach is ; but no flower with a rich,
pure, steadfast violet-blue, chocolate, or red
ground-colour can be anything than a welcome
and beautiful acquisition when i^e other
qualities of that ground-colour are good, and
the flower brilliant in its other points. Frank
Simonite is a seedling raised a few years ago,
by Mr. Benjamin Simonite, of Sheffield. There
is no record of its parentage, but it was not
from mere chance seed. — F. D. Hobnbb,
Kirkhy Malzeard^ Ripon.

POT HYACINTHS

3S an Exhibition spring flower there is
none so popular as the Hyacinth. In
London the leading Societies vie with
each other to produce the best display about
the end of March ; and this, being the opening
show of the year, is always looked forward to
with pleasure. The large provincial towns, as
No. 10. ihpbbial sebies. — I.

FOR EXHIBITION.

Manchester and others, are also becoming alive
to the value of Hyacinth shows, and at these
it often happens that amateurs compete more
numerously than they do at the metropolitan
shows. Having been a successful exhibitor for
several years, I propose to offer an explanation
of my practic in growing the Hyacinth for

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146

THE FL0BI8T AKD POMOLOOIST.

[OCTOBXR,

eiliibiiion, — and I may here note that the
same method of culture should be followed to
obtam the beet results, eyen if the plants are
not intended for exhibition.

The first step is the preparation of the soil.
I prepare the compost in July or August, and
one of the trade growers told me that he did
00 in May* I chop up two barrow-loads of
turfy loam, and add to it one load of leaf-
mould, one of sand, and one of rotten cow-
manure, the ingredients being well mixed to-
gether. This compost is put into a dry place
tmtil it is time to use it. The next considera-
tion is to obtam the bulbs, of which good sorts
can be had at from ds. to dOs. per dozen, or, if
newer yarieties, at a higher price still. Those
unacquainted with the flower would do best to
purchase from a respectable nurseryman, pay so
much per dozen, and leave the matter in his
hands. A selection of yery good sorts can be
purchased at 12s. per dozen, and if a root or
two of newer sorts should be wished for, they
could be bought separately.

When the bulbs are received, I take them
out of the bag or box, and lay each loot
separately in a flat box, only one layer deep,
and just coyer them with the Buckwheat chaff,
and place them in an airy room. The time of
potting and the size of the pots must both be
regulated by the date at which the flowers are
wanted. To flower in January and Februaiy,
ihe bulbs should be potted early in September,
those for succession being planted towards the
end of that month and early in October. Those
intended for exhibition I pot about the last
week in October. For the early flowering
roots the pots should be 4^ in. to 5 in. diameter
inside measure, and those for exhibition should
be Gin.

The compost at the time of potting should
be rather dry, never wet. I do not put in
very much drainage: only one large bit of
potsherd over the bottom hole, and a few small
pieces on that ; but the drainage should be
kept free by haying some of the fibre from the
turfy loam placed over it. Press the soil in
moderately firm, and make a hole laige
enough for the bulb with the fingers. It is
a common but mistaken practice to fill the
pot with mould, and then to press the bulb
down on it, for this makes the compost firmest
just under the bulb, and it is quite likely that

it may be thrown out of the soil when the
roots are emitted. I make the soil firmer
round the bulb than it is underneath it. When
the operation is finished, the top of the bulb
should just show above the soil. The pots
should be placed out-of-doors in an open place
on a hard bottom of ashes, and be covered to
the depth of 2 in. or 8 in. over the surface of
the pots with cocoa-nut fibre refuse, spent tan,
or leaf-mould. It is a great mistake to place
the pots under the stage of a greenhouse, as is
sometimes done ; the water running down from
above soaks some, while others suffer for want
of it ; out-of-doors they require no attention,
and cause no anxiety.

When it is intended to force as early as
possible, the pots must be removed into the
forcing-house as soon as they have formed roots.
The pots should be within a foot or two of the
glass lights, if possible. The plants must be
forced very slowly at first, and will not require
much water ; but when it is seen that rapid
growth has commenced, more moisture will be
necessary. The night temperature may then be
increased to 60'' or 65^ The plants should be
removed into a cooler place as soon as the first
bells are expanded.

Our exhibition Hyacinths are removed to the
house as soon as the crowns have started about
1 in. ; this will generally be about the first
or second week in January. I remove them to
a cold frame where the lights can be kept
rather dose for a few days, and be covered with
a mat to exclude light. It is just as well to
inure them gradually to the light, and if I have
to place them on shelves in any of the vineries
or in the greenhouse, I place a small pot over
the crown for a day or two, as it is as well to
keep the plants very quiet at first ; but after
the leaves have become green, air is admitted
freely night and day.

If it should become necessary to force in
order to get spikes open by a certain date, it is
better to do this when they are further
advanced. All through the period of growth
the plants should be kept close to the glass,
and air should be admitted as freely as possi-
ble. Water must also be applied freely, giving
manure-water with every alternate watering. I
have said water freely, but it is proper to add,
with judgment. If the Hyacinth ^nll grow in
glasses of water, it will not in soil which is
constantly saturated.

The varieties I grow for exhibition are these :
— Single red: Oavaignao, Fabiola, Gigantea,
Macaulay, Solfaterre, Von Schiller, Vuurbaak.
Single blue: Baron van Tuyll, Blondin,
Charles Dickens, General Havelock, Grand
Lilas, King of the Blues, Lord Derby,
Marie, Mknosa. Single white: Grandeur

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187S.]

ON BIPENINQ PEABS.

147

a Merveille, La Grandesse, Mont Blanc.
Single yellow: Ida, Bird of Paradise. Single
lilac or mauve: Czar Peter, De CandoUe,
Hajdn, Sir Henry Havelock. Double red:
Koh-i-noor, Lord Wellington. Double blue:
Laurens Roster and Van Speyk. This list
contains yery few doable varieties ; Koh-i-noor
is semi-double only. The doubles have not
such compact symmetrical spikes as the single
varieties, and although I grow a few, they are
very seldom exhibited, but there are a few of
the doubles very useful for decorative purposes
at home. The best besides those named are :
— Bed: Noble par Merite, Princess Louise,
Begina Victoria. White: Anna Maria, La
Tour d'Auvergne, Prince of Waterloo, Triomphe
Blandina. Blue: Bloksberg, Oarrick, Louis
Philippe. — J. Douglas, Los^ord Hall^ Ilford,

ON RIPENINa PEARS.*

I^HILE the cultivation of the Pear in
favoured localities is easier than that
of Apples, the proper ripening and
marketing of the Pear are attended with more
difficulty. * Indeed, there are but few people
who know how to handle Pears so as to ripen
them in a way to obtain their best colour and
flavour, and to bring them to maturity at just
the most desirable time ; or, having satisfac-
torily ripened them, they put them into market
in a condition to obtain the best returns. A
good Pear may be ripened so as to be solid,
juicy, and sweet, with a good rich colour to its
skin ; or it may be made corky, insipid, and
rotten at the core ; or again, it may be shrivelled,
sour, and unattractive ; and these different con-
ditions may all be obtained the same season, and
from fruit grown on the same tree.

This being the case, the importance of
proper ripening will readily be seen. While
different varieties may require slightly
different treatment, owing to their indi-
vidual characteristics and the season, yet
the same general rules will apply to
all. I believe that nearly all Pear-growers
agree that all kinds of Pears should be
picked while green and ripened in the house,
but at just what time they should be picked,
and just how they should be handled to ripen
them, are subjects on which there is much
diversity of opinion. But in order that we
may intelligently understand this subject, let
us see what this ripening process is, and what

* From a Prize Essay, read at a MeeUng of the HasBt'
obosetu* JaorUoaltoial Society, Jaanary 13, 1878.

are the conditions essential to its most perfect
development. Chemists tell us that about
fourteen per cent, of the Pear is soluble
matter, and that it is composed of a trace of
free acid and twenty-three hundredths of one
per cent, of albuminoids, and that the rest of
the soluble matter is made up of sugar, starch,
cellulose, dextrine, and other farinaceous sub-
stances. Now this ripening process is a sac-
charine fermentation, and is analogous to the
malting of brewers' grains. In malting,
diastase is formed by a change of albumen in
the grain, and this diastase acts as a fer-
ment on the starch, gum, and cellulose
of the barley, and changes a portion of these
substances to glucose or grape-sugar. In the
ripening of Pears, the vegetable acids which
they contain act on .the farinaceous sub-
stances of which the Pear is so largely com-
posed, and if the fruit is removed from the
trees and kept at a temperature which favours
this saccharine fermentation, its cellular tissues
will be broken down, its water and aroma set
free, and glucose or grape-sugar will be formed
from its farinaceous substances, giving us a
sweet, juicy, high-flavoured Pear. Now, what
we want in ripening Pears is to obtain the
most perfect development of this fermentative
process, but at the same to avoid any vinous
or destructive fermentation, which would
destroy the sugar or induce decay. We also
want to have the fruit as large and plump as
possible, avoiding any wilted or shrivelled
appearance, and to obtain its best colour — as
much of bright straw-colour, with a tmge of
red, as possible. Now, how shall we make a
practical application of these principles so as
to obtain the desired results ?

Summer and early-faU Pears should be
picked just before they begin to turn, and
when they are nearly grown, should be handled
with great care to avoid bruising, and should
be placed in barrels or boxes in a room or
cellar, where the temperature may be kept at
about 70^, and a moderate degree of moisture
maintained. A very dry air is not so good, as
it absorbs the moisture and aroma from the
fruit, injures its flavour, and causes it to wilt
and shrivel up. After being kept in such a
room a few days, they will begin to turn, and
some of them will mellow ; then they should
be sold or used, before they soften. The boxes,

L 2

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148

THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[OcroBDi,

barrels, or whateyer they may be placed in,
should be covered with papers, to exclude the
light and prevent the escape of the aroma.

Oare should also be exercised to avoid placing
them so deep in barrels or heaps as to allow of
the generation of much internal heat, which
might carry the fermentation too high, and
destroy the fruit. When one has the facilities
for doing so, he may improve the colour, and
possibly the flavour, by spreading them on
shelves between old newspapers. This ripen-
ing between papers, on shelves in a room where
an even temperature, and the right degree of
moisture can be maintamed, seems to give the
most satisfactory results of any method with
which I am acquainted. The manner in which
early Pears thus treated will colour is truly
wonderful.

It is often desirable to lengthen the season
of the ripening of some of our early Pears ;
especially is this the case where the Bartlett
[Williams's Bon Ohr^tien], which seems to be
the standard summer Pear for marketing pur-
poses, is the main crop. This may be readily
done, by making two or more pickings from
each tree, with several weeks between the first
and the last picking. The largest and ripest
should be picked first, as soon as the windfalls
will ripen and be good ; and the smaller and
greener ones should be left, to receive the addi-
tional sap which the earlier ones would have
appropriated. Sometimes one side of a tree
will be much earlier than the other, in which
case the earliest side should be picked first.
This early picking should be ripened off 'at
once by the process already described, only
observing that the greener the fruit the higher
temperature it will require, and a more humid
atmosphere wiU be needed to prevent their
shrivelling.

Having ripened and disposed of this early
crop, another picking should be made, and
served in a similar way, leaving the greenest
on the trees as long as they will keep green.
Mulching, and where practicable, watering will
help to prolong their season, by keeping up the
vigour of the trees. Most summer and fall
pears may be kept best by leaving them on the
trees as long as they will hang and keep green.
I have tried keeping them on ice, but while it
checked their ripening, it induced decay, and
destroyed the life of the pear, if I may be

allowed such an expression. Oertainly, keeping
pears a long time at a low temperature injures
their ripening properties. By making early
and late pickings as described, we may obtain
a larger crop from each tree, and sell it at
better prices, because we can put part of them
into market early, before the bulk of the crop
is received, and we can keep a part of the crop
until quite late, and sell when the rush is over,
thereby obtaining better prices. Splendid
specimens for exhibition purposes may be
obtained, by leaving a few of the largest and
fairest specimens on the tree, and picking all
others early ; then, when fully grown, pick and
ripen between papers or blankets, as the weather
and degree of ripeness they have attained on
the tiee may require.

A great many people pick their Pears too
green. Such Pears are small, and they will
shrivel unless ripened with great care, and they
lack the body and fiavour of those which are
fully grown. Late fall and winter Pears should
be left on the trees xmtil hard frosts and windy-
weather cause them to drop, then they should
be carefully picked, sorted, and packed in dean
barrels, and stored where the temperature can
be kept as near 40^ as possible xmtil 4;he season
of ripening has arrived, when they should be
placed between woollen blankets in a room
where an even temperature of as near 70^ as
possible can be maintained, and they will soon
ripen like summer Pears.

I believe the cause of the failure of so many
people to satisfactorily ripen winter pears, is
that the fruit is kept and ripened at so low a
temperature that the tendency to saccharine
fermentation is destroyed, instead of being
favoured, and consequently such pears are dry
and tasteless.

The summa summarum of the whole matter
is : If we wish to keep pears and retard their
ripening, we must keep them in a still dry air,
at a temperature as near 40^ as it is possible.
But when it is desirable to ripen them, put
them in a dark warm place, with a moderate
degree of moisture in the air, and keep them
covered, to exclude the light and retain the
heat and gases which are generated. In warm
weather use papers for a covering, and in cold
weather use woollen blankets. — J. W. Pieboe,
West Millhury^ Mass.

PENTSTEMON CLEVELANDI.

S)niS very pretty and distinct Pentstemon
is a native of Lower Oalifomia, and
has been quite recently introduced. It
appears to have first flowered in this country,
in the garden of A. 0. Walker, Oolwyn Bay,
North Wales, where it continued in flower
from June to December.

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M78. ]

PENTSTEMON OI^BVELANPI,

The garden race of PentBtemons has been
bred chiefly from P. Hartwegii^ crossed with
other kinds, and the yarieties, though much
varied in size and colour, have yet a general
resemblance in their flowers to the plant just
nam€fd. The genus, however, contains numer-

ous species of quite a dissimilar char*
acter, all beautiful in their way, and all
hardy, or just verging upon hardiness, aod
probably failing, when they do fail, more from
the dampness than the coldness of our climate.
In a tolerably free, well-drained soil, not liable

Prmtstbmom Clkvblandi.

to be water-logged, they will survive our milder
winters, but they are fully deserving of the
shelter accorded to half-hardy plants, and with
this help they may all be kept secure. Most of
th^m are increased in summer readily by cut-

tings, which, of course, is a necessary mode of
propagating the garden varieties, equally
applicable to such kinds as P. campanulatus ;
while most of the sorts bear seed freely,
from which the species themselves may be

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THE PLOEIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[OCTOBRB,

reprodaoed, and from whence, in the case of
garden yarieties, new sorts must be sought. Some
of these, less shrubby than the rest, may be in-
creased by division, bat seedlings are gener-
ally preferable, when they can be obtained.
P. speciosus^ cyananthus^ Oordoni^ Jaffrayanu8^
and humilis are handsome plants, with azure-
blue flowers. P. barhatuSj Torreyi, and Mm*-
rayanus are fine scarlet-flowered sorts, the
latter remarkable for its connate glaucous
leaves. P. digitalis and Cohcsa have hand-
some light-coloured flowers, and P. Pahieri
and Wrightii have very showy flowers, of a
rosy tint. Of most of the species, it might be
said that they are showy and attractive sub-
jects, while of scarcely any could it be truly said
that they are unomamental. P* cwdifolius
and antit*rhinoide8 are two very pretty, neat-
habited, fruticose species, the former with
scarlet, the latter with yellow flowers.
P. Cjievelandiy represented in the accompany-

ing engraving (from the Gardeners^ Chronicle)^
is of the same general habit as the foregoing —
that is, a perennial, with leafy stem, bearing a
freely-branched, paniculate inflorescence. Its
stem-leaves are stalkless, ovate-lanceolate in
form and repandly toothed, whilst those borne
amongst the flowers (floral-leaves) are very
small. The flowers themselves are deep blood-
red, displayed on a thyrsoid panicle, and are
very numerous, set on by short pedicels, and
having short calyx-lobes, and tubular funnel-
shaped corollas, the tube of which is about an inch
in length, and the limb consisting of Ave short
rounded spreading lobes. It was described by
Dr. Asa Gray in the Proceedings of the Ameri-
can Academy of Sciences (1876, vol. xi., p. 94).
As already noted, it commences to flower in the
height of summer, and continues flowering
throughout the autumn. It is well worthy a
place amongst our choice hardy or half-hardy
flowers. — T. Moobb.

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS* FLOWERS.

No. VII.

^0 conclude the subject of Form or
Shape, we come, lastly, to treat of it
as subservient to an ulterior purpose
— ^to set off to greater advantage some other
means of beauty. This is a large rather than
a difficult branch, requiring more a copious
induction of particulars, than the announcing
and establishment of any fresh general prin-
ciples. Whatever can be correctly said upon
the subject will be found to depend on some
of those principles that have been laid down
before. I shall not therefore here attempt any
such extended induction, but conflne my obser-
vations within as narrow a space as will suffice
to explain the mode of their application.

" With respect to the general forms of flowers,
different shapes are best suited to different
purposes. The cup-edged or rose-leaved petal,
elegant as it is, is unsuited to shew the colours
of the Polyanthus, the Auricula, or the disked
Oineraria, though it enhances the beauty of the
Oamation, the Picotee, and the Pink. The
flat surface will not effectively display the
markings of such as are equally painted on both
surfaces, as the TuHp ; nor will the hollow cup,
80 admired in that flower, suffice to bring the
single Poppy or Peony, with all its glowing
colours, into favour with the fastidious. Regard
must be had to the mode of colour, before a
decision can be pronounced on the form most

available for its display. The most perfect is
when the flower is calculated to produce both
a general effect as a whole, and likewise to
attract observation to its several parts. In
this respect, I imagine, the first place must be
conceded, without a rival, to the Tulip, and the
second probably to the Orchids. Nor does this
prejudice the popular claim for the Rose, a claim
in which I corcUally join, to be the queen of
flowers. The Rose has too many and too solid
attractions to fear giving other flowers their
due meed of superiority in particular points
over itself. But the Rose is essentially a self-
coloured flower, though there are some depart-
ures from this rule, and for the most part with
little improvement. And it is rather an en-
comium upon, than a disparagement of, its
merits, that having to contend at a disadvan-
tage, it wins for itself the highest place in our
esteem. The Auricula, the Pelargonium, and
perhaps the Oamation, present more of a pic-
ture,* and have more properties or points that
conduce to excellence than the Rose.

"Were there any flower the colours of
which are disposed with as minute a reference
to mutual position as those of a picture, no
doubt a perfectly flat surface would be best.
And although making no such pretensions to
accuracy, the Auricula is impatient of any
other form, because the relative proportions of
its primary subdivisions, which proportions are

* Ttae Pansy does ; bat I have no wish to expose a troth to
rldlcole, by appearing to compare the Pansy to the Bosei

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THE PHILOSOPHY OP PL0EI9T8 PIiOWBBS — VII.

151

its principal charaoieriBtic, are injured or loet
wi^oat it. The Polyanthus and the party-
coloured yarieties of Oineraria would suffer in
the same way, but in a less degree. The
colours of flowers, however, are beautiful by a
higher than the painter's rule, and when in
their utmost regularity disdain the servile
trammels of man's imitative art. Themselves
and their purposes are alike original, and not
by copy ; and display their Mal^r's praise as
much in what, to a superficial observer, would
appear their imperfections, as in what are
called their highest perfections. And therefore
the forms on which their beauties can bo in-
scribed with effect are not so limited.

** I have before observed that, theoretically,
a globe would be in itself the most perfect form,
considered simply as a figure ; and the same
will apply, to a considerable extent, as a surface
for the reflection. of colour. Yet if a globe
were formed in any other manner than by the
convex edges of many petals, as in some of the
BanunculaoefiB or the Amaranthus, it would not
answer our ideas of a flower, the essence of
which Ib expansion or opening-out, which, in-
deed, is the meaning of the word ' petal.' It
would, therefore, be out of the question for
single flowers ; and in fact, the casual arching-
over of its petals into the resemblance of a
globe, which takes place in some long-cupped
varieties of the Tulip, is a great dissight.

" The section of a globe, as in a well-shaped
Tulip, offers the next greatest amount of ad-
vantages ; and one of the charms of that mag-
nificent flower is owing to its mathematically per-
fect form. And in the recent [1849] controversy
about its exact proportions, I have no doubt of
all eventually agreeing in the opinion of those
who assert that it ought to be half a globe ;
because if it be less, in the same degi*ee that it
falls short of a hemisphere does it lose the
globular, which is its higher, character, and
approach the idea of a plane surface with
cupped edges — ^a form actually assumed by
Bome Tulips in the middle of a hot day, after
they have been some time in flower ; and if it
be greater, in the same degree that it exceeds
a hemisphere does it fall short of its just ex-
pansion, both in appearance and effect. For
the half of a hollow globe of the size of a Tulip
presents a sufficienUy level surface for the
most delicate floral markings to be perceived ;
and in the case of this flower, which is painted
on each surface, enables both the inner and the
outer to be seen at the same time. Hence it
is the most effective form of any.

^^ Another way in which an adventitious
magnitude is produced is, when the lines both
of form and colour are parallel, instead of
crossing each other, and both run outwards
(that is, towards infinity) without a stop. This
is well illustrated in the singular difference of
effect produced by the three fioriste' species of

Dianthus,— the Oamation, Picotee, and Pink.
Whichever may be the favourite, none, I think,
will deny that all the grandeur belongs to the
Oamation. The reason of this, though not
obvious, is quite intelligible, and arises (to
compare small things with great) from tiie
same difference of principle that separates
Gothic architecture from Classical — ^the prin-
ciple of perpendicular and of horizontal lines.
The stripes of the Oamation are disposed
longitudinally, the same way with the length
of the petal, and are not terminated by any
visible end. They run out, as it were, and
lose themselves in space. The lacing on the
petal of a Picotee or a Pink is stopped by its
adjoining one, and it is transverse to the
length of the petal ; it forms a visible termina-
tion both to the fiower and to its colours.
Hence a Pink, often as large as the largest
Oamation, will necessarily appear small and
confined in comparison.

'^ The restricting mode of colour, however, has
its advantages, as well as its disadvantages.
For the Oamation, from its greater variety,
both in forms and colours, ought to be the
prettiest of the three ; in which quality I be-
lieve most of my fair readers would be disposed
to place it, where I should myself, as the last,
instead of the first. There is a sort of mas-
culine character imparted to it by its concen-
trated efforts towards magnitude, which impairs
its delicacy. It is this direction of the lines of
colour in the Picotee which make what are
called ' bars ' a dbfigurement, a sentence which
many denounce as capricious and unreasonable,
not considering that they are transverse to the
lines of colour, and that lines at right angles
are necessarily harsh.

^' The ordinary mode in which the petals of
a modem Pelargonium are disposed, give an
instance of another effect imparted to a system
of colours by the shape of the ground on which
they are laid. The two larger or upper are
sometimes called back petals, not because they
really lie farther back than the three lower
ones, but because these latter are commonly
thrown straight forwards, while the others
have a greater tendency te the other direction
and to refiex, whereby the face of the fiower is
thrown upwards and forwards, and a character
of forwardness or boldness imparted te it, the
same as there is te the human countenance by
the same position ; and what is called a bold
fiower, is one in which this disposal of the petals
is more than ordinarily conspicuous.

" When colour is only effective in the mi^s,
the shape most adapted for shewing it te ad-
vantage will depend partly on the natural form
of the fiower, partly, as before observed, on its
size, and partly on the brilliance, or otherwise,
of its hue, or, which comes te the same thing,
whether colour or shape take the precedence.

^' In the subordinate parts of a flower, as the

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152

THB FLOBIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ OCTOBEB,

single petal, for instance, the imbricated form,
so called from its resemblance to a drain-tile,
takes off from the stiff formality of the
Oamellia ; and the quilled petal gives liyeliness
and grace to the Ohrysanthemnm. The same
form detracts from the appearance of the Aster,
because its petab are so narrow, that they can-
not afford iSie shrinking of size it occasions.

*' Observations of this kind may and ought
to be extended to considerable minuteness of
detail, bat as they are only applications of
what has gone before, they will not require me
to draw at greater length upon the kind pati-
ence of your readers.

" The other origin of beauty is Colour^ the
most obvious source of our varied, pleasurable
impressions from the flower-garden, and on
which therefore the reader may not unreason-
ably fear a discussion as long as that which
has gone before. Happily, however, in this he
will be mistaken, for the philosophic or constant
elements of its effectiveness, to which I am
here confined, are few ; nor is it intended fully
to discuss these, for a reason that will be after-
wards adverted to. The observations I have to
offer will class themselves xmder colours in
general as such, and on the juxtaposition of two
or more on the same grounds.

^^ 1. With regard to colours in general, the
preference of one before another arises, for the
most part, from causes of which I do not treat,
for each has, intrinsically, an equal right to
admiration. Much belongs to individual taste,
much to accidental circumstance, such as rarity,
and these, as not reducible to rule, are beside
the present purpose. A blue Dahlia, or a
scarlet Pelargonium, may be worth a hundred
guineas ; but the value is accidental, not essen-
tial, and belongs to the philosophy, not of
the flower, but of man. There are, however,
a few intrinsic qualities, according to which
colour seems necessarily effective, or the con-
trary. I shall mention but two, applicable
equally whether the flower in which they are
foxmd is self or party-coloured.

^ The first is Brightness, by which I mean
neither a higher nor a deeper tint, the value of
which is purely conventional and a matter of
taste, but the opposite to the fiat and washy
appearance often seen in petab of thin sul^
stance, as if it were fading, and somewhat
similar to what in art would arise from a too
thin coat of paint. Possibly it may sometimes
be connected with the epidermis alone being
the seat of colour, because, if you look closely
into the bell of a good light-blue Hyacinth,
the colour, however light, will appear to pene-
trate the entire fleshy substance of the petal,
and will be as bright and lively as the deepest
tint could be. A^ the rays of its colour are
reflected back to the eye, and not absorbed and
lost, as many of them are, in the dull, thin,
and watery colour of some of the old (not

Chinese) Hollyhocks, of twenty years ago.
Bybloemen Tulips, when narrowly examined,
are seldom entirely free from this fault.

" The other quality is Distinctness, by which
tenn I mean, not the impossibility of mistaking
at first sight whether the colour in question be
a blue or a violet, a rose or a pink (for, on the
contrary, I think such indescribable shades of
colour as are best to be found in the Bose form
one of the highest charms of that peerless
monarch of the garden), but such an individual
(may I use the word idiosyncratic ?♦) distinct-
ness, as when once well seen and felt will en-
sure its being distinguished from others. With-
out this, it would be equally impossible to dis-
criminate between 2,000 varieties, and useless
to cultivate them, for a colour that excites no
corresponding and pleasurable idea is worth-
less. Yet colours of this objectionable and
meaningless kind are not un^mmon, and often
partially intrude into some of our best varieties,
as in the Oatafalque Tulip, and others — as if
for a stimulus to the raiser still to press on for
something nearer his idea of perfection. Seed-
ling or breeder Tulips often are of a hue that
seems hardly to be classed as a colour, but
rather as a negation of colour. *Foxy'
Auriculas and Polyanthuses are of this class. —
Iota.**

PEACH PRUNING.

OME years ago— perhaps eighteen — ^a
nobleman's gardener, who had sp^it many
years in France, Belgium, and Italy, gave
me a very clear outline of the practice adopted by
horticulturists in those countries. One thing of
which I made a special note was the description
of pruning Peach-trees, given on the system
practised to a large extent in France. Straight
rods were trained fan-shape as true as the rajrs
of the sun, and the small growths of the current
year, which were saved to supply the bearing-
wood of the following season, were pruned, not
as generally seen in this country, but cut short
to within two or three inches of the tree. This
is not the "spur" system — I do not object to
that when properly carried out in the case of
trees under glass — but simply short-pruning.
By this mode, bearing-wood as firm as oak is
secured, there is no waste of time laying-in
young wood for no purpose, and the trees are
always neat and free from confusion. I have
practised this (perhaps in a modified form) for
a number of years, and by it always secured
abundance of fruit, and saved much labour. — T.

* Peculiar to iti own eompovitton.

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The Pe^ch Pear.

P Zc Par.r.tm.eker Chronwat-h. ( Gar.d; Bei^vq^^

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X\.

— ^- \ 1.,

\ 1

1-. 1. T' ..-- '

I.
t

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>-¥

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1878. ]

THE PEAOH PEAB. — ^BOSE HEDGES.

153

THE PEACH PEAR.

fPLATE 477.]

I OOD early dessert Pears are yery useful
fruits. They come in at a time when
the variety amongst -choice table fruits
is becoming somewhat diminished, and in
themselves they offer a pleasant change, and
prove very grateful and refreshing to the palate,
especially in seasons when the temperature
runs high. Hence we have sought opportunities
from time to time to figure some of those early
varieties which are but little known, though
very well worth growing.

PBAB, AUQUSn JUBIB.

The Peach Peab, of which we now give an
illustration of the true variety, is one of those
which come into the above category, being not
only comparatively early — beginning of Sep-
tember — ^but good. It will be remembered
that some time since (Floeibt, 1877, 157, t.
447) we published, xmder this title, a figure
of an early Pear, the name of which there was
some reason to doubt, the variety having, by
some means or other, got mixed up with
Beurr^ Giffatd. This fruit was produced in
1874. The tree has not borne again till the pre*

sent season, so that a further examination has
not hitherto been possible ; but now that the
opportunity has occurred, it proves to be the
variety named Auguste Jurie^ and as the par-
ticular example represented in our former plate
was somewhat exceptional as to outline, we add
here a sectional figure, prepared in 1874, when
our drawing was made^ and which shows its
more usual character. The name of the Pear
published last year should therefore be changed
to Auguste Jurie, as it is to this that the figure
and description refers, and which, as we learn
from Scott's Orchardisty was raised at Ecully in
1851. The variety is not mentioned in Hogg's
Fimit Manual (1875), but has been figured and
described in a recent number of the Journal
of HorttcuUure (n. s., xxxv., 220), where its
history is thus more fully stated :—

" This was raised from Bexin^ GrifFard at the
Ecole d'Horticaltore, Ecully, near Lyons, which is
nnder the able direction of our friend M. Willermoz,
and was named in honoor of M. Aogoste June,
President of the Horticnltaral Society of the Rhone.
It first ripened fmit on Aagast 11th, 1851, and
was described by Abb^ D. Dupay, of Anch, in
VAheiUe Pomologique for 1863. As described by
Abb^ Dapny, it is bright red on the side next the
snn, which is no doubt attributable to the climate
of the South of France, for here we have found no
trace of red upon it, though we have seen it with a
slight orange tinge on the exposed side."

The specimens figured in both instances
were grown in the garden of the Boyal Horti-
cultural Society at Ghiswick. Those of the
Peach Pear may be described as follows : —
Shape pyriform. Stalk one inch long, inserted
in the centre of the fruit in an uneven cavity.
Eye large, open, inserted in a shallow basin.
Skin rough, greenish-yellow, and covered with
russet. Flesh greenish-yellow, firm, not melt-
ing, and rather coarse, but very sweet and
agreeable, with the true pear fiavour. In point
of earliness, Auguste Jurie has the advantage,
being ripe some two or three weeks before the
Peach Pear. It ripens, in fact, about the
middle of August, while the Peach Pear ripens
early in September. — ^T. Moobb.

ROSE HEDGES.

SDOES of Boses of the Noisette section
are, if properly managed, the most
showy ornaments that can be grown,
either in the pleasure or kitchen garden. At
the present time, I have hedges of the Fellenberg
and Aim^e Vibert in the kitchen garden here,
forming a mass of bloom, which will continue till

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THB riiOBIBT AND POMOLOOIBT.

[OCTOBIB,

the froBt cuts them down in Noyember. Some
Oloire de Dijon and Vicomtesae de Cazea Tea-
Boses are mixed with them, and they give out
a delioions scent in the evening. These hedges
were planted to give shelter to the vegetables,
and to separate different portions of the garden
into divisions. On purpose to get a good stock
of plants for these hedges, I put cuttbgs in
in September and October, on a warm south
border, with plenty of sand in the rows
when the cuttings were planted. In the
spring they began to make roots, and a
great per-centage of the plants grew strong
enough to plant in the hedges the next year.
In planting the cuttings, it is safest to leave a
bit of old wood at the base, as they then callus
over sooner ready to emit roots. The Hybrid
Perpetual Bosee can likewise be raised in quan-
tities, if the cuttings are planted in the autumn,
and hedges can be formed of them the same as
with Noisettes ; they will furnish a great sup-
ply of leaves for drying or distilling. This
year I had some of the finest blooms from a
hedge of Hybrid Perpetuals on their own roots.
Another great advantage is, that when a killing
frost occurs, and the budded or grafted Boses
are destroyed, the Boses on their own roots, if
cut down by it, spring up again, to be as strong
as ever.— -WiLLiAU ThjiEbt, Welbech.

MARKET PLANTS.— Vn.

The LAUBUSTnrns aud Ghent Azaleas.
I^OME of our English plant-growers are
found imitating the French and Belgian
cultivators in the production of certain
plants, the grovrth of which was considered for
some time to be the reversbn of Continental
horticulturists. But that is no longer the case.
English plant-growers mingle with their breth-
ren of the craft in France and Belgium, who
in their turn come to Old England in friendly
intercourse, and thus they learn of each other,
for so diffusive is the liking for plants, and the
desire to improve the modes of and to excel in
their culture, that a monopoly of the higher
arts of gardening is no longer the exclusive
possession of any one nationality. And though
the acquirements of the gardening profession
in one country might be lauded as far ahead of
that of another country, depend upon it some
other possession can be found to balance it, and
equalise the weight of achievement.

The Laububtinus, specimen plants of which

were once mainly sought abroad, is now being
grown by some of our London market growers,
so as to have the plants in flower from Christ-
mas till February ; and the plants I recently
saw at the nurseries of Messrs. J. and J. Hayes,
Nurserymen, Edmonton, decidedly proved that
if the Continental growers are far s^ead of the
London men, their plants must be good indeed.

The history of a specimen Laurustinus may
be stated in a few words. Cuttings are taken
at the end of August or early in September,
and they are put into a free sandy soil to root,
either in a cold frame or under hand-glasses ;
there they remain till spring, by whidi time
they have become nicely rooted, and are then
planted out in beds in the open air, where they
stand for two yeais. It will be here that
the culture of the Laurustinus is a somewhat
slow process, requiring considerable patience,
and the exercise of much forethought. After
the two years' probation in the beds have
passed, they are potted into large or small 33-
pots (for the market-growers appear to have
two sizes), the largest plants, of course, going
into the biggest pots, and the smallest into the
smaller pots. As soon as the plants are potted,
the pots are plunged in fine cinder-ashes up to
their rims in laige, broad, airy frames, over
which coverings can be put if required — and
these coverings are formed of '^hurdles,** over-
laid with felt.

These potted plants of Laurustinus are mainly
grown for the cut flowers they supply. As soon
as they have well established Uiemselves in
d2-poi£i, they are shifted into large 24-sized pots,
and in these the plants make fine heads, from
15 in. to 20 in. across. If the stems are
cleared of shoots, the plants make good stand-
ards, and also come in useful for table purposes.
The plants put into 24-pots in spring are
again plunged in ashes for the summer, and
here the buds are formed, and in the beginning of
December they are taken into the forcing-house.
The flowers are what the market-growers term
*^kind ** to open — ^that is, they open readily ;
and in consequence of being forced into bloom
under glass at the dead season of the year, are
of a pure white colour, showing little or nothing
of the fleshy tint pecuUar to flowers that expand
in the open air.

It is simply a process of cold treatment up
to the time of placing the plants in the forcing-
house, and this is the only extra expense
incurred. Messrs. J. and J. Hayes grow eveiy
year from 1,500 to 2,000 plants of Laurus-
tinus, and there is always a succession of
plants being brought on to come in during
successive winters. Only water is given, liquid
manure not being required. It is an error to
suppose that the latter is so necessary as is gene-
rally thought to market-plants. Some of them
are sent to market, where they command a
ready sale, at good remunerative prices.

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HJEMANTHUS OIKNABABINUS.

155

The felt-covered "hurdles," as they are
termed, deserye a passing notice. They are
formed of light wooden frames, covered with
ordinary felt, which costs about one penny per
superficial foot. The felt is tarred every year,
and thus kept in serviceable condition for a
long time. In constructing the frame-work for
these hurdles, they are strengthened by means
of cross-pieces put triangle-fashion across the
comers, and with pieces put across the
frames. During summer the coverings, not
being in requisition, are stowed away carefully.

In this nursery there are some plants of Qhekt
Azaleas which I xmderstood Mr. John Hayes
to say came from the Messrs. Loddiges' nursery
years ago ; they are all fine varieties, and are

found very useful for cutting from in winter
and early spring. They are most accommo-
dating plants, for they are taken up every year,
put into pots, and placed in the forcing-house ;
and then, when they have done their work,
gradually hardened off and put back into the
open ground again, where they make 8u£Scient
growth to form buds for another season.
Flowers of these Azaleas find a ready sale.

It may be remarked that in lifting the
Azaleas they are taken up with large baUs, so
that the plant does not suffer in the least by
the removal. This is all-important, as a check
would defer, if it did not, to a considerable
extent, spoil the head of bloom looked for on
the plants. — ^B. Dean, Ealing j W.

H^MANTHUS CINNABABINUS.

NE of the finest of an'especially orna-
mental group of stove bulbous plants,
and one which is remarkable for the
showy character of its inflorescence. The genus

Hamanthua affords considerable variety of type.
In the present instance, the bulbs are ovate, and
the leaves, which are few in number, and of an
oval, oblong form, are cylindrically sheathed at

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

(OCTOBIR,

the base, forming a kind of neck to the bulb.
The flower-scape grows np from the centre of
the leaves, and is robust, about a foot high,
crowned with a dense globuLir head of flowers,
which, when developed from a strong bulb, is
as much as six inches through. The flowers
are numerous, collected into an umbel ; the
segments of the perianth are sub-equal, oblong,
spreading, and of a charmingly brilliant colour,
a vivid cinnabar-scarlet, tinted with carmine,
having the sparkling lustre of a Guernsey
lily; the rigid filaments of the stamens are
of the same colour as the perianth, and are
tipped by brilliant yellow anthers, which impart
an additional interest to the flowers ; the style
also, which is more slender than the stamens, is
of the same brilliant red.

This species of Efsmanthua is allied to ff,
muktflorus^ and being like that species a native of
West Tropical Africa, it consequently requires a
stove temperature for its successful cultivation.
The gorgeous flower-buds last for a considerable
period in beauty, so that in a collection of stove
plants, it will be quite an acquisition. The
leaves in this case are about contemporaneous
with the flowers. It has lately been introduced
into commerce by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of
Ohelsea, to whom we are indebted for the wood-
cut by which these brief particulars are illus-
trated. — ^T. MOOBB.

THE CARNATION AND PICOTEE

▲ND A BUNDLE OF ORITIOISMS.
!iBY special and altogether unlooked-for
distractions, which, greatly to my regret,
threaten grievously to abbreviate my
future opportunities of the enjoyment of floricul-
ture, and which at the time wholly engrossed
my small energies, compelled me to pass over
the very interesting and gratifying remarks of
the Editors of the Gardeners^ Chronicle^ of
July 27th, on the National Oamation and
Picotee Exhibition, and the mode of showing
followed. It is true the writer's remarks pro-
ceed on an entirely erroneous basis — ^the
assumption that a ooUar (as it is described) of
white pasteboard is used for the purpose of
supporting the calyx, and preventing the burst-
ing which might otherwise occur — an error
which has been corrected by Mr. Douglas.

But the writer, after saying the exhibition
(« was very successful from the point of view of
the profe^ed florist, the several classes were well
represented, and the skill of the cultivator, as
well as the beauty of form and colour of the
flowers, were well displayed," proceeds severely
to criticise and condemn the mode of showing
adopted : —
<*Ko attempt was made to break from the tradi-

tional mode of exhibiting these flowers — a tradition
80 venerable, and so religiously acted up to, that it
would appear as if the height of excellence as
regards practice had been reached, and that long
experience had ahown that no improvement could
be made. At the risk of being considered rash
heretics, we venture to dispute the assumed excel-
lence of the present mode of exhibiting these
flowers. Is it necessary, for instance, that the
flowers, no matter what their colour may be, should
be throttled by a stiff collar of dead-white card-
board, projecting all round the flower for some dis-
tance P Assuming that some support of thia kind
is necessary to prevent the effect of the bursting of
the calyx, is it necessary that such support should
be so conspicuous P The effect is often distressing,
often ludicrous, and nearly always detrimental to
the lighter colours of the flowers themselves. The
card might be so curtailed in its proportions as not
to be objectionable, and it might be of some light
warm neutral tint, which should enhance, not
detract from, the colour of the flower."

Quoting the above, in his issue of August 3rd,
the Editor of the Garden remarks : —

** It is high time to protest against the way in
which these lovely flowers are made hideous at
shows. A bed of seedlings left alone had a better
effect than all the collared Gamationa ever seen.
We do not wish to quarrel with the ' florist ' for his
ideal, and let him lay down all the rules and
standards of perfection which he likes. What we
have to deplore is the fact that^ after ages of effort^
and not a little vaunting of what has been done,
the ideal flower is only to be seen in a deep paper
collar, with all its delicate beauty of varied petal
destroyed, flattened, or picked out. Each exhflntor
is armed witii a small series of instruments, remind-
ing one of a dentist's collection, wherewith the said
eidhibitor extracts small petals, flattens others, and
goes through a variety of operations, to force the
flower to assume for an hour or two before its death
a shape which he calls perfect. All this one might
tolerate if, at the same time, these beautiful floweni
could be seen as they grow. This is all we ask for.
A ahow of Carnations and Fiootees weU grown in
pots, and allowed to bloom without mutuiation or
objectionable collars, would be a charming novelty,
and we should see in which way the flowers look
best. We believe the usual way of showing them
is that calculated to exhibit to the least possible
adyantage the beauty and grace which Carnations
and Picotees naturally possess."

*^A. D.," in the same periodical, in the
following week, writes that he '* entirely en-
dorses " these remarks, and says of the practice
of dressing the bloom : —

"It is not the flower as produced by Nature,
but one shaped and fashioned as far as possible by
the hand of the expert, who^ with his tweeters^
manipulates it in such a way as that it shall not be
grown, but pulled into his ideaL If this practice
were permitted with the rose, for instance, what
would be said? and if necessary for one flower,
why not for another P An honest judge should dis-
qualify all dressed flowers, and that would soon
stop the process."

Oontmuing the bill of indictment, the Bey.
J. B. M. Gamm, in the Journal of Horticulture
(p. 187), says:—

" I do not grow Carnations either for exhibition
or for the decoration of the garden, but I am very
fond of the plant, and know several of the largest
growers, both amateur and profeasional, and I have
exhibited Boses at a sort of Joint show where Car-

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THB OABNATION AND PIGOTEE.

157

nations were shown. I had never seen flerista
dressing their flowers before, and I mast express
my opinion that it was a very nnedifying sight.
The lovely flower was seized by the scmff of its ^
tender thrt>at,mnch like a poor victim is seized by the
dentist, and a pair of ivory tweezers were employed
in palling every single petal ont of its place. * I say,
old fellow, have yoa seen these Carnation fellows
dressing their flowers F* said a brother roearian to
me. *They are like a lot of ladies'-maids,' I
answered, 'preparing their mistresses' heads for a
balL' It was most amnsing work watching them,
and the difference they made to their pets, and the
improvement or the reverse that they effected in
Katore's handiwork, were so great, that I am sare
the dame herself wonld not have recognised her
ohOdren." Asking foar questions, — *' Is this right
and proper ? If it is, how is it the Carnation is the
only flower manipulated in this way? How is it
rosarians are content to show their blooms as they
are grown ? And what wonld be thought of a man
who fastened down with gum or some cosmetic the
inmost petals of the somewhat thin Etienne Levet,
or of the operator who applied some sort of con-
'trivance wMch held the Bose in a grip like a vice,
and prevented its opening?" Mr. Camm remarks,
** Ko end of a row would be made about it, and quite
properly, too. If this practice goes on, we shall
come to this : it will not be the best florists or the
best flowers that will win ; it will be the most
skilful operators, and the most highly dressed and
artificial flowers, that will carry off the prizes."

Finallj, as I am told, though I have not read
the communication, " A. D.," giving the rein to
an imagination excited to ijie verge of pruri-
ency, l&ens the chaste, cold, white card to the
flaunting garb of a prostitute.

Verily these are grave sayings, and if they
had the force of fact to support them, we
Carnation and Picotee-growers and lovers should
deserve to be exiled from the domains of Flora.
But indeed the chaiges made rest on no basis
of fact or argument. The description of the
work of the dresser, vivid as it is made by the
force of Mr. Camm's imagination (" A. D." I
pass entirely over, for gentlemen who assume a
monopoly of " honesty " can deserve no reply),
is a caricature so extreme, that it utterly dis*
torts, not describes, the result ; and as for the
question, Why is the Gamation the only flower
manipulated in this way ? (assuming as a fact
what is not a fact, for every flower, the Bose,
of course, included, is ^^ dressed " more or less,
as the iiiherent properties of the flower sug-
gest,) I answer, the Oomation is so treated
because it rejoices in a measure of ^* variety *'
possessed by no other flower, because "with-
out violence to its general unity, it has no two
petals, and no two stripes on the same petal,
alike in the form of their colours." Where,
therefore, Nature has left a hidden beauty, the
florist steps in to produce its development, just
as the lapidary by his art gives brilliancy and
form to the otherwise dull and shapeless dia-
mond. Both work on the same principle, and
both, if successful, produce the same result—the
development of beauty, inherent, but previously
unseen.

The card is used merely as a foil to the
flowers, and the white ground is chosen simply
from the impossibility of finding neutral tints,
which, whilst they would combine with the
varying colours and modes of colour of the
flowers, would harmonise with each other.
Many years ago, at the wish and with
the aid of an artist friend, I made a
number of experiments in this direc-
tion, with the result I have indicated. The
florist, in his effort to set off his productions to
advantage, resorts of necessity to the effects to
be obtained from the principles of combination
or contrast^ and as, in the case of the foil, he
cannot combine and harmonise, he turns natur-
ally to the broader and bolder effects of con-
trast. Forty years ago Oamations were shown
without cards, in tubes elevating the bloom
completely from the ground. There are now no
Carnation-growers of eminence who would
recur to the practice.

As to the worth of the argument that " no
attempt was made to break frcmi the traditional
mode of exhibiting these flowers," what would
the learned writer think of its parallel if
applied, say, to a course of lectures on botany ?
" The lecturer was very successful, from Uie
point of view of the professed botanist ; his
language was well chosen, and he illustrated his
subject with force and clearness. But at the
risk of being considered rash heretics, we
venture to dispute the usefulness of this
minute consideration of Nature. She is great
and glorious in her broader aspects, and in such
a light only do we think it worthy to consider
her." Bash heretic, indeed, would be the ex-
clamation of the learned Professor, with the
addition possibly of a stronger expletive.

The same reply suffices for the Editor of the
Garden^ who asks in effect that the broader
results of the garden shall be transferred to
the exhibition-table. Many a time and oft I
have had the remark addressed to me by
visitors to my flowers : — ^" Talk of exhibitions ;
there are no exhibitions like thisT' The
egotism of the quotation will, I trust, be for-
given me, as it is given solely as a stimulus to
others to obtain, as they readily may, a like
enjoyment. The " bed of seedlings " referred to
by the Editor of the Garden was indeed glori-
ous, an aggregation of form, colour, and mode
of colouring grand indeed in its effects, but it
would be a stretch of language, in truth, to say it
had been" left alone,"and the veriest tyro would
surely understand there was more variety in
white, scarlet, and maroon, than in scarlet and
maroon, or in a self-coloured flower only.
Whether the Editor of the Garden sustains his
case by calling to his aid the comparison of the
dressing-tweezers to the instruments of the
dentist, or Mr. Camm by likening the florist*8
work to that of " a lot of ladies'-maids pre-
paring their mistresses' heads for a ball," I

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THE FLORIST AND POMOLOaiST.

[OCTOBSB,

most leaye for the reader to determine, but
adopting the simile, at least thus much may be
said, the dentist's art is a tribute to humanity,
and an aid to ciyilisation, and of the work of
the ladies'-maids, from their mistresses* point of
view at least, it must be assumed to be an
accessory to beauty.

I haye thus, I trust, fairly answered the
objections raised. The question is not a small
one, but hinges upon the same principle upon
which depends eyery step in our ciyilisation.
And to dispassionate minds, among which, of
course, I rsmk those of the objectors them-
selyes, it will surely afford matter for re-
flection that these objections are raised by
those who ayowedly haye no special acquaint-
ance with the subjects treated of, and who do
not take the part of the informed teacher, and
demonstrate not merely what is in error, but
exemplify what is right ; whilst on the other
tide, ^^ there is an absolute consent among those
who are engaged in the pursuit and haye paid
attention to it, and this not of one time and
place, but of all times." The canons and
practices of the florist rest not upon unreason-
ing ignorance, but upon patient obseryation
and intelligent deduction, and will neyer be
moyed by hasty denunciation, springing from
imperfect and erroneous assimiption.— E. S.

DODWELL.

P.S. — ^Mr. Gamm's assumption that if the practice
of dressing flowers goes on, it will be "not the best
florists or the best flowers that will win," but " the
most skilful operators and the most highly-dressed
and artificial flowers that will cany off the prizes,"
is strangely at yarxanoe with history. For two
years in succession, at the Northern Show of the
National Carnation and Piootee Society, the premier
flower selected (the best in the whole exlubition)
had been untouched by the dressing-tweezers;
whilst at South Kensington, on July 28rd, two lots
of flowers on which the utmost effort of sit (and I
presume to say I know something of what art can
do in this direction) were yirtually nowhere in the
competition. One came from the grand collections
at Slough, contributed by Mr. Turner, the premier
of florists, in his loyalty to the Society ; but the
blighting, blasting heat and wind of the preyious
week had made art helpless. The other was the
contribution of Mr. Bumaby Atkins, and the dresser
was Mrs. Bumaby Atkins, who will certainly take
high rank at Carnation and Piootee competitions,
when she gets the better yarieties to manipulate.

Another point I wish to say one word upon is the
absence of all notice of two large boxes, containing
upwards of one hundred flowers set up by myself, at
the exhibition in question, without cards, and un-
touched by the dressing-tweezers. It argues a yery
imperfect examination of the exhibition by its
critics that these collections, which, from the
stand-point adopted by them — the eyils of the card
and the dressing-tweezers — should haye supplied
them with an illustration of their ideal, went un-
noticed. But to me, it is an illustration of an old
experience, and a well-understood truth — that
flowers so exhibited quite lack the attraction pos-
sessed by those which have [received the loving
gentle attentions of the skilful and faithful servitor
of Flora.

MARL FOR SHRUBS AND FRUITS.

j)HEBE this abounds, as it does in many
parts of the country, an improyement
may be made in ligbt soils whicli
could scarcely be conceived by those who baye
been strangers to the use of MarL From ex-
periments with sbrubs, fruit-trees, and straw-
berries, my faith in the qualities of this soil
has been greatly strengthened. As illustratiye
examples, I may cite the following :*-

On a hill composed of marl, which was taken
out to form a site for some new buildings,
eyergreen shrubs, conifers, and deciduous trees
of eyery description were planted, giying a
little turfy soil to each, in order to start them,
and now they haye far outdistanced in growth
their compeers planted at the same time in the
ordinary soil.

Fruit-trees, such as peaches, pears, and plums,
planted with a quantity of this marl, mixed in
the ordinary soil along with a few bones and
some brick rubbish, have given excellent results.

Strawberries in pots under glass were larger
and of finer quaUty than I ever had them, and
they were grown in a mixture of marl with the
loam. Though the plants did not haye the
best of treatment while fruiting, they carried
their crop in good order, retaining all the roots
to the last, these filling the pots and growing
outside while on the shelyes ; and not an insect
of any kind could be seen when the plants were
done with. — ^M. T.

VILLA GARDENING FOR
OCTOBER.

j)£ are on the yerge of autumn. The

days close in rapidly, and the night

air is chill, though by day the sun

shines warmly, and the air is soft and balmy : —

*' Bed lie the moors — the glorious autumn moors,
Crimson, and red, and scarlet, with the glow
Of twice ten thousand nodding heather-bells ;
With wealth of colour gorgeous as the tints
Of Iris* purple robe."

But the woodland, the lines of which frame
this picture, are yellow and orange and red, in
their autumn tints, and already the leaves fall
in thousands, obedient to the law which decrees
their budding in sping and their decay in
autumns.

Gbbbnhouse. — ^Any plants in the open air,
placed there for the purpose of ripening their
growth, should now be placed under glass, the
tender ones, of course, occupying the green-
house. What excellent late summer plants
Abutilona make t and as they can be wintered
in a cold greenhouse, so long as sharp frost can

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VILLA GABDENma FOB 00T06EB.

169

be kepi from it, they are jost the plant for
▼ilia gardeners. Here are a few that all villa
gardeners should grow, for blooming in pots in
August and September: — RoscBflomniy rose;
Lemoineij yellow ; Darwimi tessellatum^ with
handsome golden variegated foliage, and bold
orange flowers ; vexiliariumy with very curi-
ous eardrop-like flowers, red, orange, and black
in colour ; Le Grelcty pink, with cUurk eye ; the
pure white Boule de Neige^ and Duke de Mala-
koffy orange, very fine. All these do well, if
potted on in early summer, and stood out in a
sheltered place in the open air to come into
flower, and then carried into the greenhouse.
They are unusual in charaeter, continuous in
bloom, and have handsome foliage ; they will
go on flowering till the cold winter closes the
duration of floral service. Plants that are to
bloom during the winter should have the
wannest place in the greenhouse, but not be
allowed to suffer for want of water. Give
plenty of air night and day while the weather
is warm and sunny, and if the weather comes
in rough and windy, with rains, shut the house
up nearly dose ; but at this time of the year,
plants can do with an abundance of air. Sun-
shine is requisite also, and so shading should
be discontinued, so that plenty of light might
fall upon the plants. Plants that are still
growing and blooming must still be well
watered, but Fuchsia9fP^ktrg<mium8y Begonias^
&c., that have commenced the process of ripen-
ing or drying off, will need bi^t slight supplies.
Over-watering at this stage does much harm.

Gfreen-fly is now trout^fesome, and must be
kept under. The use of the syringe does much
to cleanse the plants, but when ttiat has to be
discontinued, a good f unugation with tobacco-
smoke will be found of great advantage. There
is nothing like going into the winter with a
dean bill of health.

The later-shifted Fuchsias^ and a few large-
flowering and Zonal Felargomuma similarly
treated are stUl very gay, and Harrison^s Musk
is a perennial source of interest. The pretty
blue-lavender Plumbago is also a capital villa
gardener's plant. Then in reversion, to succeed
Siese, are CinerariaSy Cyclamens^ PrimulaSy and
such-like, for a warm greenhouse ; while for a
cold one there are the Christmas EoseSj Colcki'
cumSy Autumn Crocuses^ Primroses^ &c., if only
they be brought on in pots early enough to
flower in October and November. Clirysantfie-
mums in pots must be included. We have
some capital plants in 8-in. pots, that have been
grown in good soil, and the addition of some
buffalo-horn manure. Let villa gardeners
make a note of this manure for Ohrysanthe-
mums. Keep all dead leaves and decaying
flowers picked off from the plants. Some
gardeners appear to get careless in September,
as if order and cleanliness were not necessary
at all times \ but a wise gardener will continue

to keep eveiything neat and tidy, and so pro-
long to the fullest possible extent any flowers
that may gild the on-coming autumn.

Floweb Gabden. — ^How generous Nature is,
for if she ordains decay in some plants at cer-
tain seasons of the year, others succeed them,
and so the round of floral beauty is maintained.
We are cutting away decaying stalks of Gladio-
ItiSy Delphinium^ Pentstemon^ &c., and straight-
way up come the AtUumn Crocuses and the
fine old ColchicumSy to discharge their annaal
round of duty. There is no cessation of Nature's
benefactions to the children of men. Chry-
santhemums growing in the open ground need
to be securely staked, and if growmg against
walls, which is an excellent way of having
them in bloom early and protecting from frost,
nailed or tied in. In a week or two the bedding
plants will be rapidly decaying, and then comes
the question as to what shall succeed them.
Pansiesj Violas^ Wall/lowers^ Silene pendula^
Polyanthuses^ &c., come in very useful for the
purpose; and if a few cheap Hyacinths and
7\Uips be planted first, and the plants named
above over them, a pretty and somewhat durable
effect will be secured. Some persons use ever-
greens, both green-leaved and variegated, for
filling their beds in spring ; it is a little expen-
sive to get a supply at first, but once obtained,
they last for years, and only require a piece of
ground to plant them' in during summer. Let
all beds and borders be kept tidy, removing
decaying foliage and leaves, and the garden
be made neat to as late a period of the year as
possible. Outtings of bedding plants can still
be put in if required.

KrroHEN Gabden. — ^All ground from which
crops have been removed, if not required for the
immediate planting of some other subject, will
be greatly benefited by being deeply dug and
thrown up rough. If wanted for Early Potatoes^
manure it in November, and throw up in ridges
for the winter. Beet, Carrots, Parsnips, and
Jerusalem Artichokes can be taken up and
housed, though the two last are perhaps best
left in the ground till wanted. A few August-
sown Cabbages may be planted out, also Hardy
White Cos and Hammersmith Cabbage Lettuces,
on a warm south border. Weeds continue
to be very troublesome, and among fruit-trees
it will be best to dig tiiem into tiie ground,
rather than to attempt clearing them by hoeing.
Celery needs to be looked after ; snails and slugs
are very troublesome, getting down into the
hearts and disfiguring them. The later rows
of Celery will require earthing-up. Strawberry-
beds may also be planted, but the sooner it is
done the better.

Fbuit-Qabdbn. — ^We are still syringing our
wall-trees with soap-suds, and it is all the more
necessary in the case of trees planted against
old walls, as they harbour insects very much.
To assist in ripening the young wood, all the

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THE FLOBIST AND POUOLOGIST.

[ October,

small side-slioots should be taken off, so tliat
as mucli light and air as possible may get to
the wood, and ripen it. In like manner, we
shall soon commence catting out all the lateral
growths in pyramid and bndi-trees, to give free
access to currents of air, to harden the growths,
for there is now no danger of such pruning
encouraging fresh growths. So far, all trees
appear as if they would promise to do well for
next season; and if the wood can be well ripened,
the prospects of a fruit crop next spring will
be much assured. If fine dr3dng weather last
until the middle of the month, gardeners will
haye much reason to rejoice and be glad. Next
month, we will give select lists of fruit-trees
for planting in Villa gardens, as we shall then
have reached the time when such operations
can be carried out. — Subxtbbanus.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

iHE BOTAL HOBTIOULTITBAL SOdBTY's

Meeting on September 17 brought

together a nice exhibition of Dahlias,

the blooms of which appear this season to be highly
coloured and nnuBually attractive. Several seed-
ling DahlicLs were shown, of which three obtained
fint-olass certificates, — ^namely, AurorOf a bright
golden orange, from Messrs. Keynes and Coi j -Joseph
JLshhyt an orange-scarlet, from Mr. C. Tnziicr ; and
ClarcL, a lilao-rose, from Mr. G. Bawlings. Second-
class certificates were given to Messrs. Keynes and
Co. for Rosy Momj of a particnlarly bright and
attractive rose-ooloor; and for Gaiety, a rather
coarse yellow fancy, striped with red and white,
and tipped with white, being somewhat novel
in colony Mr. H. Cannell received first-class
certificates for two single-flowered Dahlias, named
respectively Paragon and Lutea ; they were evid-
ently varieties of JD. variahiliB, the flnt having the
florets velvety maroon, edged with dark crimson, the
second being pore yellow. Mr. C. Noble showed
a bonch of his remarkably free-bloominff H.P.
Rose Queen of Beddere. Mr. W. Boll edibited
Ma^roMamia eylindrica, a handsome plant, with
oblong-ovate leaves, cat into long, narrow, glossy
segments, ivoiy-white at the base ; awarded a Ist-
oliuBS certificate. He also showed the interesting
ArtocarpuSf or rather Ficus exculptoj which has
sinnately bipinnatifid leaves, and small, roundish
green fmits. Other Ist-class certificates wece
awarded to Begonia NeUy May, from the Society's
garden, a free-growing variety, with large, droop-
ing, rosy-pink, very showy flowers, the result of a
second cross from B ros89flora ; to Messrs. Hooper
and Co., for Begonia Louie Thihaut, a prof use-flDwered
dwarf double-crimson of good preppies; to liessrs.
Laing and Co., for a fine tuft of Evlalia japonica
xehrina, upwards of a yard high, in which
each leaf was marked by some five to six pallid
bands, and which proves to be quite hardy ; and to
Mr. Green, gardener to Sir G. Macleay, for Nelum.
hium luteum as a hardy aquatic, with ornamental
foliage, the peltate leaves having a beautiful velvety
surface. A collection of Abutilons was sent Atom
Chiswiok.

— ■ ;PBb. Cannell has sent us flowers of
Dahlia Pabaqon, a single-flowered variety of

Dahlia variabilis, in which the flower-heads

consist merely of a single row of ray florets sur-
rounding the yellow disk, these ray florets being of
a rich, velvety maroon, edged wiUi dark crimson.
The blossoms are remarkable for their quiet beauty.
The single-flowered states of D. eoccinea with
orange-scarlet, of P. mexicanawith crimson-scarlet,
and of P. Cervanteeii with crimson-scarlet and
yellow flower-heads, are all most remarkable for
their decorative capacities, and would certainly be
more freely grown as border-flowers, if they were
better known.

— It is, we think, not generally known

that PebennlUi Astebs, the Michaelmas

Daisies of our gardens, and some, at least, of

their allies, e.g., Boltonias, may be raised from seed,
with the result that the seedlings flower during the
first year. Such at least, we are assured, is the
experience of M. Yilmorin, who has in his private
garden distinct lines of many species of this
genus, all sown in the spring of the present year,
and all, as we understand, in.blossom at the present
time.

— €tHB rare Ophioglossum lusitanioum
has been found this summer in Ireland, by Mr.
Henry Ohichester Hart, the naturalist to the
recent * Challenger' Expedition. It was discovered
in the wilds of county Donegal, and though it had
already been recorded as a "British" plant in
virtue of its occurrence in Guernsey, yet this Irish-
habitat extends the known area of its distribution,
and should encourage botanical tourists to search
for it on the warmer ooasts of England, and in other
parts of the sister-isle.

— ®HE Neill Pbizi — ^the " blue ribbon "
of Scotch gardeners — has been awarded this
year to our yalued correspondent, Mr. Webster,
gardener at Gordon Castle, Mr. Webster and the
Caledonian Horticultural Society may both be con-
gratulated on the judicious selection which has been
made.

— JKb. John Nicolas Haaoe, of Erfurt,

died on August 9. Mr. Haage, who was

botanising in the neighbourhood of Miirren,

in Switzerland, fell down a steep precipice, sus-
taining injuries from which he did not recover. He
was the founder and head of the firm of Haage and
Schmidt.

— fRE. Anthony Nicolas Buvobt, of
Overween, near Haarlem, died on August 26,
in his 78th year. Mr. Bijvoet was the head
of the well-known firm of bulb-growers, and a fiine
example of a Dutch country gentleman, beloved and
respected by all who knew him.

— ^B. James Bbown, for many years

gardener in the service of the late Duke of

Buckingham, and of Lord Southampton, died

at Crowton, Delamere, Cheshire, on September 9,
in his 93rd jear. About the year 1822, Mr. Brown
grew one of the largest Pine-apples that ha4 then
been obtained in this country, and which was pre-
sented to George lY.

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Rose Cliarles Darwm .

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1878.]

EOSE CHARLES DABWIN. — VINES AND VINE-CULTUBE — CHAP. XIV.

161

ROSE CHARLES DARWIN.

[Plate 478.]

iOB the specimen of the fine new H.P.
BoBE named Charles Darwin, we are
indebted to Messrs. Paul and Son, of
the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt. It is remarkable
at once for its rich deep maroon-shaded
colour, and also for its free autumn -blooming
properties, rendering it " perpetual *' in some-
thing more than the name. Mr. G. Paul has
very kindly sent us the following notes, to ac-
company the figure : — ,

" This is a seedling of Mr. Laxton's, which
some three years ago he placed in our hands
for trial. It has proved to be a very fine rose,
with the merit of novelty of colour, having a
brownish tint suffused over the crimson, and
having a wonderfully decided habit of autumn
flowering ; indeed, throughout all the quarters,
no single variety at this date (September 17) is
covered to an equal extent with well-developed
flowers. This is evidently due to some Bourbon
blood in its parentage, and is a most desirable
quality. On its merits, we have decided to dis-
tribute it next spring.

" Curiously enough, the Engliah-raised Roses
of the last two years seem to be the best of the
new kinds. Taking those of 1876-7, Mr.
Tamer's Oxonian and Mrs. Baker (1876), with
our Duke of Connaught and Sultan of Zanzi-
bar, and Mr. W. Paul's Magna Charta, are the
new kinds of the year worth growing.

"Of 1877, nearly the same holds good.
Emily Laxton and Marchioness of Exeter, and
Mrs. Laxton (1878), raised by Mr. Laxton, sent

out by us ; Mr. Postans' May Quennell, sent out
by Messrs. William Paul and Son ; and Mr.
Davis's Penelope Mayo, sent out by Mr. Turner,
are, with our own John Bright and Bobert
Marnock, the best of the year.

" Of the French kinds of 1877-8, taking first
the hybrid perpetuals, we hold Alfred K.
Williams, a new Horace Vemet-like flower,
Garcon's Boildieu, sent out by Margottin, a
large, bold flower, and Eduard Dufour, of
Leveque^ are the best amongst the crimsons.
Madame Jean Bowyer is in the way of Marip
Finger, and is promising; Liabaud's two,
Madame Gabriel Luizet and Madame Laboulaye,
an improved Duchess of Edinburgh, are pro-
mising lights. Mr. GuiUot's Hybrid Tea
Mdlle. Alexandre Bemaix, and Leveque's Prin-
cesse de Tremouille, are both free-blooming
and La France-like roses.

'* Of the Teas, we think highly, from flowers
seen here, of Mr. Bennett's Madame Welch, a
seedling of Madame Ducher, at Lyons; and
Lacharme's Madame Lambard is a good vigorous
free-flowering Tea, of soft rosy-peach colour,
likely to be particularly useful. A new raiser,
Nabonnand, sent out some ten or twelve new
Teas, some of which, as Princess Vera, look
pretty ; but to be useful now, a Tea Bose must
have a bold vigorous habit and large perfect
flowers, or we might as well revive some of the
old varieties, like Caroline and Tea Jaune,
which have been thrown out of the Catalogues.

'^ It is pleasant to find that Boses continue
to progress, and phasanter to find English-
raised kinds heacfing the lists. — Georqe Paul."

VINES AND VINE-CULTURE.

Chapteb XrV. — Vine Bcedees, theib Fobmation; Soil, &c.

)HE Grape Vine is a remarkably free-
growing plant, and is found growing
in great luxuriance under many very
opposite conditions, and in soils of a widely
different character. The consistency of the
soil — its composition, so to speak — appears to
be of far more importance than the actual in-
gredients themselves of which it may be com-
posed. For example, we know of Vines doing
remarkably well on very calcareous soils, on
deep alluvial loams, on very shallow soils,
where the roots penetrate into the fissures of
the rocks in search of food, yea, in heaps of
stones almost, as well as in beds of the richest
manure. The Vine, however, is never found
to succeed in wet, clayey, tenacious soils. A
certain amount of aeration and porosity of

No. 11. IMPEBIAL SERIES. — I.

the soil seems to be an absolute necessity, with
an abundance of water at certain seasons.
From these general principles, therefore, it
will be seen that it is not so very difficult to
arrive at a knowledge of the kind of soil best
suited for the cultivation of the vine, and that
the formation of a vine border is a task
requiring no very gi'eat skill to perform.

Soils. — The soil best suited in itself for the
growth of the vine is a fibry, calcareous, yellow
or virgin loam. No analysis that can be given
will convey much information as to the exact
constituents of the soil that is meant, which
is that termed " fibry yellow loam,** although
bjr every vine-cultivator the designation is well
understood. It is the top-soil or turf, cut
from two to four inches thick, from an

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162

THE FLORIST AND POMOLOQIST.

[ NOYBMBKR,

old pasture or field. It is " fibry," from con-
taining all the fibrous roots of tbe herbage or
grass growing on it. It is " yellow," by reason
of its not having been in cultivation for some
considerable time, so that it contains little or
no organic matter. Soils under cultivation, by
having organic matter introduced, soon lose
this yellow or fresh appearance. The term
" virgin " loam is sometimes used. Indeed, the
word " loam " itself is one of wide meaning,
since soils that are termed " loam " or " loamy "*
range from sand to clay ; thus we have what
is termed " sandy loam," and also " clayey
loam." It is the intermediate order or quality
of the soil that is best suited for the vine, — a
fibry yellow loam, of a calcareous nature,
neither too light and sandy nor too heavy, but
yet with some substance in it.

Where this soil can be procured, it should be
cut from an open pasture, not from a wood or near
the roots of trees, lest pieces of the roots remain,
to cause fungus. Cut it also while it is dry.
Many soils are spoilt by being handled whilst
they are wet. Chop the turves with the grass
and all to pieces roughly, and to five or six
cubic yards of this add one yard of old lime
rubbish or broken bricks, a portion of charcoal,
wood-ashes, or burnt soil, and from two to
three hundredweight of half-inch dried ground
bones. This, well mixed together, will consti-
tute the main body of soil to be used, but is
subject, of course, to considerable modification
as to proportions, according to the quality of
the loam that is made of use.

In many cases where the soil used is very
poor, more manure of some sort will have to
be added. We do not approve of the admix-
ture of much stable manure in the composition
of the soil, but strongly recommend the use of
horn shavings— 'Wills's " Elixir," as it is now
termed. There is no better or more enriching
material for Vines than tliis manure. About
one bushel of Elixir to every yard of soil will
prove a good mixture in the formation of the
border. If the loam used is of a sandy nature,
less of the lime rubbish must be used, as the
object in using this is mainly to give porosity
to the soil. If, on the other hand, it is of a
clayey nature, a far greater proportion of lime
rubbish will be required.

In many places it may be very difficult to
obtain soil at all approaching that which is

here recommended, but let no one despair of
cultivating Grapes on that account. Vines
will grow, and grow well, in soils of a much
inferior nature, under careful management.
We recommend that which we consider the
best, and it is for the cultivator to get as near
that as possible. We ourselves, in our own
experience, have had often to use soils of a
very inferior quality — old and exhausted
garden soil, without a vestige of fibre — ^in the
formation of vine borders, trusting to the
after-management, to top-dressings, and so forth,
to make up for the deficiencies. In short, in
choosing soil for growing vines, choose the
freshest and newest that may be obtainable,
although perchance it be or may not appear so
rich as some other that has been in cultivation.
It will be found more enduring and better
suited, in every respect, when the other in-
gredients mentioned are added in their proper
proportion, for the production of Grapes and
the general constitution of the vine. The
soil thus prepared is ready to go to form the
border.

Size of Border, — The Vine may be grown
in a very small space, and in very little soil, as
is evidenced by the splendid results obtained by
its cultivation in pots. This may be termed
"high pressure" cultivation. Such vines are
soon exhausted and worn out ; one crop for
one season, and they are done. In larger tubs
or boxes they may last a little, but not much
longer ; and so on, in regular proportions, no
doubt (although somewhat difficult to estimate
correctly), according to the quantity of soil
and the nourishment suppHed, is the vigour
of the Vine maintained. If permanent
vines are desired — vines that will continue in
full vigour for, say, 20 years — a border of a
considerable size must be provided. In small*
narrow borders, with a restricted quantity of
soil, success for a time may be very great, but
even that can only be maintained by the appli-
cation of much nourishment in the way of top-
dressings, renewal of soil, &c., which becomes
expensive. A very good rule to go by, and
one which gives a very fair proportion, is that
of making the width of border equal to the width
of the house itself. Thus for a house 10 ft.
wide, a border 10 ft. wide would be required ;
and for a 16-ft. vinery a 16-ft. border; and so on.
The vine borders should in all cases be from

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THE BEBEFOBDSHIBE POMONA.

1G3

two to three feet in depth ; they should never
be less than two feet, and need seldom be more
than three feet A shallow border is apt to
become too dry, and requires great care and
attention as to watering and the keeping up a
proper degree of moisture ; and a deep border
is apt to get soddened, and the roots, if they
penetrate so low, are entirely beyond the solar
influence. The roots of the vine travel a long
way in search of nourishment ; there are in-
stances of their having been found from 60 to
100 feet away, so that, although some limit
must be fixed for the size of the border, a
greater extent would, of course, be no dis-
advantage. Indeed, in most of the ordinary
prepared borders, where no means have been
adopted to confine or restrict the passage of
the roots, the greater portion have passed
through all the carefully prepared border into
the soil beyond, and are thus beyond the con-
trol of the cultivator, and beyond the influence
of his treatment. Except the natural soil of
the place be conducive to the well-bemg of the
vine, the action of the roots should always be
restricted to the prescribed space that has been
specially prepared for their well-being.

Inside or Outside Borders, — ^Much discussion
haa taken place as to the relative merits or
advantages of having the Vines planted inside,
with the roots inside, or in borders outside the
house. Here it is only necessary to say a few
words. Inside borders are specially under the
control of the cultivators. The vines growing
therein are in a degree as dependent on his
careful attention and skill as those grown in
pots. Every particle of nourishment and
moisture has to be supplied. It is, therefore,
manifest that in cold, wet, low-lying situations,
in the hands of the skilful cultivator, for early
forcing and for very late-keeping grapes, there
is much to be said in favour of "inside borders."
The disadvantages are these : — The great
amount of labour, &c., required in watering,
and the skill and care in keeping up the requi-
site degree of moisture at the roots. A scarcity
of water, or a little neglect in its application,
and the crop is ruined. On the other hand,
outside borders require little attention in regard
to watering, being exposed to the ordinary
rains, which is the best water of all, only re-
quiring attention in very dry times. Many
amateur cultivators never think of watering their

vine borders, although frequently they would
be greatly benefited thereby. For the general
crop of grapes, and for all ordinary cultivation
where superior skill and constant care cannot
be administered, " outside " borders are far
preferable to " inside.*' A very common prac-
tice is to form the borders both outside and
inside, the front wall being erected on arches,
so that the vines which are planted inside may
have liberty of action for their roots to go to
either. It has often been noticed in cases of
this sort how great a per-centage of the roots
are to be found in the outside border, that
being generally the moister of the two. It is a
fact worthy of notice that the greater portion
of the ravages committed by the Phylloxera in
this country have been in dry inside borders^
the insect having seldom been found in the
more moist soil outside. This, if not testimony
exactly in favour of outside borders, at least
points to the suppression of this great pest,
Phylloxera, by the application of more water.
— ^A. F. Babbon.

THE HEREFOEDSHIRE POMONA.

UGH is the title of a valuable and
handsome publication, of which the first
part has been issued by Messrs. Hard-
wicke and Bogue (192 Piccadilly), on behalf of
the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. The
work was originally intended to be of a local
character, as its title indicates, but the great
and wide-spread interest with which the an«
nouncement of its publication has been re«
ceived has induced the Club to make it more
general in scope, and consequently it is now in-
tended to make this Pomona a thoroughly Eng-
lish work; and though its local name will
be retained, it will embrace all Apples and
Pears of established merit cultivated in Great
Britain. "The coloured drawings, the wood-
cut outlines and sections, and the greater
part of the letterpress are original, and
their production very expensive. The Wool-
hope Club, however, has neither the in-
tention nor the desire to make any profit
from the publication of the work ; and beyond
the copies supplied to its members, the number
offered for sale to the public is very limited,
and only sufllcient to meet the great expendi-
ture of a work of this character."

The Pomological department is under the

M 2

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164

THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[ NOVBMBBR,

snperintendenoe of Dr. Hogg, the author of
the Fruit Manual^ and one of oar leading
British Pomologists. We may therefore look
to this portion of the work — the descriptions
and the nomenclature — bebg correct and
authoritative. Much of the introductory
matter in the part now issued is from the pen
of Dr. Bull, the energetic Secretary of the Club ;
and this portion of the work will comprise
in the next issue a paper on ^* Modem Apple-
Lore ;" " A Sketch of the Life of Lord Scuda-
more," by Dr. Bull, with a full-page portrait
of his lordship ; and a paper on " The Cordon
System of Growing Pears," by Sir Henry E.
0. Scudamore Stanhope, Bart., with a full-page
wood-cut of the Cordon Wall at Holme Lacy.
This introductory matter is extremely interest-
ing. The portion already published embraces
" The Early History of the Apple and Pear,"
followed by an essay on "Thomas Andrew
Knight, and his Work in the Orchard," with
descriptions of the new fruits raised by him.
These papers will both well repay perusal.

The Pomona is of folio size, and the part
now issued contains six beautifully-executed
chromolithographed plates, by Severeyns, re-
presenting twenty varieties of Apples and two
of Pears, from drawings made for the Club by
Mr. A. Ellis. The letterpress comprises a brief
historical notice and a description of each
variety, accompanied by neat woodcut sectional
figures, giving the outline of the fruit. As
an example of the style of the letterpress, we
quote what is said of Lord Suffield Apple : —

"This Apple was raised about forty-five years
ago, by Thomas Thorpe, a hand-loom weaver, of
Boardman Lane, Middleton, near Manchester, on
the Middleton Hall estate of the late Lord Suffield ;
and it was named from his lordship, who was a
very popular, benevolent man. In 1836 Thorpe
sold the buds at threepence each, and trees thus
obtained are now living.

** Description. — Fruit: large, ovate, even in its
outline, with several obtuse angles in its sides.
Skin: thin, smooth, pale greenish yellow, with
sometimes a tinge of red next the sun. Eye : small,
the segments being gathered together in a point
and placed in a plaited basin. Stalk: slender,
over half-an-inch long, inserted in a deep cavity.
Flesh : white, tender, and firm, very juicy, and
briskly flavoured.

" This Apple has become the first favourite for
early kitchen use, and in all modem gardens is
rapidly displacing the early Codlins and the Haw-
thoraden. Its fault is that the skin is too fine and
the flesh too tender to enable it to travel without
being disfigured bj bruises. It is in season in
Angust and September.

" The tree is hardy, and a great bearer, but does
not grow to a large size."

Such a work as this will be extremely
useful, as, if it meets with the support it de-
serves, it may soon be expected to furnish
accessible figures of a considerable number of
our most popular fruits, to which a means of
ready reference would often be a boon. We
would, however, suggest that existing published
coloured figures should be quoted in the text,
as is usual in illustrated works of a general
character, since this information would form
a useful addendum to the information now
given. We shall be glad to find, by the
prompt appearance of succeeding parts, that
the work is duly appreciated and well sup-
ported by the public. — M.

ANTHURIUM ORNATUM.

EVEEAL species of white-spathed Anthu-
riums are now to be found in our best
collections of stove plants, species which
vary considerably in their general aspect, and
whose proper generic position is not yet perhaps
exactly agreed upon. Anthurium ornaium is
one of the best known of these, and is perhaps
one of the most showy. If we except the
recently-introduced A. Decliardii — which ap-
pears to be not very far removed, if indeed it
is really distinct from A, canncefolium^ and also
the white-spathed form of A, Scherzerianum,
which latter improves vastly in appearance as
it gains vigour of development, Anthunum
omatum is one of the best known of these,
and perhaps one of the most ornamental. It
is a native of Santa Martha, in Venezuela,
where it was discovered by M. Linden in 1842,
and subsequently by M. Fendler in 1854-5.
Whether then introduced to European gardens
does not appear, but this was not improbably
the case. Schott described it in 1857. We
do not, however, find it to be recorded in any
English garden catalogue, and it was not till
flowered by Mr. W. W. Saunders in 1869, and
shortly afterwards figured in the Botamcal
Magazine^ that it became familiar to English
cultivators. In August, 1871, it was exhibited
by Mr. Saunders at South Kensington, and
received the award of a Fu-st-class Certificate.

The plant has a very short stem or root-
stock, clasped by the thickened sheathing bases
of the petioles, which are slender, rigid, terete,
with a narrow slit in front, 2 to 3 ft. in length,
terminating in a thickened green node or joint.

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AKTHUBIUM OENATUM.

165

Anthbrium
by which the ovate-cordate leaf-blade, which
is from a foot to a foot and a half long, is
attached. The leaves are leatheiy in texture,
and of a deep green colour. The spathes are
G to 8 in. long, oblong-ovate, cordate at the
base, abruptly acuminate, and spreading from
the top of the slender green cylindrical scapes,
about as long as the petioles; they are of
coriaceous texture, and pure white in colour,

ORNATUy.

while the spadix, which is of about the same
length and stands erect, is thickish, of a fine
pink or purple colour, dotted with white discoid
stigmas.

It is a somewhat stately plant, and decidedly
ornate in character. The spadices, moreover,
emit a most delicious scent, as do those of
A, Dechardii, In the specimen exhibited by
Mr. Saunders in 1871, the spadices were

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THE FLOBIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ NOYKKBEB,

certainly . of a pinkish colour, not purple
as shown in the Botanical Magazine plate
above quoted. Mr. Williams, however, to
whom we are indebted for the figure, describes
it as nearly black, but covered with a violet
hue, so that probably it is pale-coloured when
first developed, and becomes darker with age.—
T. MOOBE.

THE OORYDALIS.

i)WO of the prettiest beds we have had
upon the lawn at Valentines during the
past summer consist of Coi^dalis lutea.
They are permanent and persistent plants,
with very chaste foliage, and elegant yellow
flowers ; hence I have thought a short reference
to them would be acceptable to the readers of
The Flobist and Pomoloqist. The species
of the old genus CorydaliB^ which belongs to
the natural order of Fumeworts (Fumariacea)^
are far more valuable than from the inf requency
with which they are met with, many persons
would be led to believe. Corydalis lutea^ or
as some consider it, a variety of C, capnoides^
must be known to many lovers of gardens, in
BO far as the plant itself is concerned, even
though they may have no very precise know-
ledge as to its name. It is an exceedingly
chaste plant, often seen growing out of hard,
diy walls. The foliage is somewhat glaucous,
fern-like, resembling Adiantum. The flowers
are borne in upright racemes, and are of a very
delicate yellow colour. The spur of each flower
is besides somewhat singular, hence the name
Corydalis, which is derived from " k(5rydalos,"
*'a lark," the name being applied to the
plant from the great resemblance this spur
is supposed to bear to that of the lark.
Corydalis lutea we have ere now used as a
summer bedding plant, and in admixture with
others, such as Phlox Drummondii and similar
annuals, and very pretty has been the effect.
If only for its foliage, it is far better to use it
than to adopt the American fashion of growing
carrots in flower beds for their foliage.

C, nobilis is a more vigorous, bolder plant, of
about equal value with C, lutea for bedding-
out ; an earlier bloomer, and certainly a stronger-
growing or taller plant. A common and well-
known form is Corydalis hulhosa^ in puce and
red varieties, once known as C, solida. It is a
dwarf plant, blooming in March and April ;

whilst those previously noted do not, as a rule,
produce their blossoms until the months of July
and August, when amidst the often prevailing
aridity the foliage looks very refreshing. The
best variety of these two latter — ^viz., the puce
and red-coloured — is technically known as C.
bullosa rubra. Corydalis cava atbiflora and C
capnoideSj are white-flowered plants, the latter
a distinct species, the fonner a white form of
(7. tuberosa^ by which name it waa formerly,
and may still perhaps be known.

Few plants require more simple culture or
attention than do these beautiful hardy plants.
The perennials can all be increased by root-
division and by seeds, which they form freely ;
whilst the annual forms grow freely from seeds
sown in the early spring. A few seeds of the
perennial kinds dropped into crevices of walls
would form plants in many an arid position,
and prove to be objects of much interest.—
William Eablet, Ilfoi-d.

ON DRESSING FLOWERS.

3LL professional Florists well know that
Oamations, Picotees, and Pinks are
not the only flowers that require dress-
ing, to assist Nature. The Aster, the Dahlia,
and the Ohrysanthemum have their full share
of the tweezers. The former also are im-
proved in appearance by being shown on cards ;
and such being the case, why should the prac-
tice of so showing either the Pink, Carnation,
or Aster be abandoned ? Now, if it was not
for the use of the tweezers, &c.y one-half of our
Dahlias could not be exhibited fit to be seen,
either from hard green eyes, cross eyes, split
florets, quilled petah, &c. Then, if art can make
these flowers presentable, why should the
system be abolished? The Bose does not
wholly escape the tweezers, as we are led to
believe, but nature has so formed this flower
that less art is required to bring it to perfection
on the exhibition-table, but for any one to
assert that Eoses are shown as grown is per-
fectly absurd. Some persons may preach
against dressing, but they all practise it, more
or less. Ladies, like flowers, require tasteful
dressing, to be seen to advantage ; some requiie
but little to assist nature, otliers all the art
that Madame Bachel can bestow on them.
The same with the different classes of flowers.
We once were told that Pelargoniums should
not be staked, but shown as grown. Just
imagine a Pelargonium, 4 ft. through, on the
exhibition-table, without a stake or tiel It
is all very well for people to ciy out against
staking, tying, dressbg, &c., but I say, let us
improve nature, if we can. — Edwabd Beknbtt,
Mabley Nursery^ Shenley.

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1878.]

THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS FLOWERS — VIII.

167

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS' FLO WERS-

No.vin.

j)ITH respect to the case in which
more colours than one are associated
in the same petal or blossom, the
difference of effect is extreme between a tasteful
arrangement, and the reverse ; and taste in this
sense, that is, as far as it is subject to certain
and invariable rules, comes properly within the
scope of this essay. These rules, as before
observed, may be classed under the heads of
Combination and Contrast; for though the
difference between these two modes of harmony
may not seem so obvious as is implied in the
opposition of the words, yet there is a real and
essential opposition, both in the principle of
association and in the effect produced on the
beholder. In either case, there must be a
mutual adaptation between the colours ; but in
the one, it is to foim a single compound idea ;
in the other, two separate and rival ones.

" Whether for combination or contrast, the
colours must be in juxtaposition, but not
necessarily in contact. Golours that do not
readily combine, may be seen to do so when
there is an interval ; and a contrast is often
more striking when it is not only between the
colours themselves, but between them as dis-
played in opposite parts of a flower. It is only
requisite that the eye be able to take them in
together.

'^ 1. The first mode of combination is that
in which the two join and yet are completely
distinct, as in two parallel stripes of the
African Marigold ; or in which one colour is
laid on another, as in the spotted or blotched
Calceolaria. For the effect of such an ar-
rangement to be pleasing, there must be a
positive agreement or a positive diversity
between the colours ; if the former, they will
combine ; if the latter, they will contrast. And
the peculiar power of combination is seen in
this, that whereas the strongest diversity pro-
duces the most striking contrast, in harmonious
colours the most striking effect is sometimes
when the diversity is least. Thus, in a collec-
tion of Pelargoniums, amongst the strong con-
trasts afforded by the maroon and other dark-
coloured spots, a crimson, or still more, a scarlet
spot on a pink or orange ground, in which
there is no contrast, and but little diversity,
will be the surest to arrest and retain the eye.
Some varieties of Iris, Ixia, and Gladiolus are
remarkable for blending harmonious tints;
indeed, the whole tribe of Irids and Amaryllids
is as rich in every example of colour as the
Orchids are in form.
^^ 2. Another mode of combination is that in

which they become partially blended, and form
a cloudy mass ; which, if the constituents har-
monise, gives the idea of richness, and is
usually a mark of high quality. But if the
cloudiness be only partial, it will run the risk
of an appearance of mere unevenness of colour,
which is a great fault ; and if the constituents
do not harmonise, the result will be flat and
dull.

" 3. The last form of combination is when
they lose their separate existence, and produce
an uniform new tint, in which case what has
been said under the article of Colour in general
is applicable. Every existing colour may be
considered as compound, because every known,
or indeed, conceivable one, may be made up of
two others. And it is evident that the number
of such must be unlimited, so that variety pro-
duced by colour must be unlimited likewise.
And in Nature we find it so. The various
shades of colour in a self- Verbena give it as
much variety as a party-coloured one has.

'^ It seems hardly determinable with precision
beforehand what colours will combine and
what will not, or even what will contrast,
except that, as might be expected, every colom*
will contrast with white or grey; and therefore
it may be taken as a rule, that a small white
or grey interval will reconcile any two colours.
Their position on the solar spectrum conducts
but a very little way, and is not to be im-
plicitly trusted even so far as that. It is a
deficiency, however, of no consequence; for
even if it were otherwise, our only appeal
would be to experience, and that is our guide
now.

^' Yet thus far is plain, that in contrasts the
most dissimilar elements, as those from oppo-
site ends of the spectrum, or dark and Ught,
or any other contraries, produce the greatest
effect. And further, that colours which will
not combine into one idea, will often readily
harmonise without an interval, if by their
position a contrast be excited. Thus the
green-edged Auricula is considered the most
perfect form of the flower, because the refrac-
tory green is made to contrast with the ring of
colour by the rings being separated into parts
of co-ordinate value by being concentric.

" To conclude, then, if it be asked which is
the higher origin of beauty, I would say,
contrast possesses the far greater range of
effects, and has all the boldness, energy, and
pungency on its side ; but combination presents
all the smoothness, elegance, and high-toned
richness of colouring, and as far as I can
analyse my own perceptions, excites the livelier
emotions of pleasure. Contrast makes far
more out of unpromising materials, and brings
oat their hidden and tmsospected powers, like

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THE FLOBIST ANP P0M0L0GI8T.

[ NOVKICBBB,

pitting them in a contest of skill ; to combina-
tion appertains refinement, and the grace pecu-
liar to high-breeding. Contrast, in short (to
use a quaint similitude), has the virtues of de-
mocracy, combination those which may be
called aristocratic.

" It is by contrast that the margin of a large-
blotched Pelargoniimi becomes so striking and
effective, even when the beauty is enhanced,
as it often is, by its being between colours that
combine. There should, therefore, be no pen-
cillings, nor any processes of the blotch breaking
into it to mar its distinctness. It is by con-
trast that the white eye of others adds so much
to their beauty. Neither of these properties
has any positive value ; it is relative, and
depends on the contrast ; and that in the throat
is often formed entirely by the abruptness with
which the colour terminates. Hence it is that
a feather in the eye, however small, gives an
appearance of poverty, because it detracts from
the purity of the white, and by conse4uence
from the contrast in which the effectiveness
resides. Finally, it is to contrast, in a great
measure, that the gorgeous splendour of the
Tulip is owing ; for its bold and bright colours
being laid on the purest white or yellow, the
extreme purity of the ground brings out with
perfect effect the strokes of the pencilling.

"When combination and contrast unite in
the same flower, which is far from rare, the
order of excellence is such as to admit of the
highest effect colours are capable of giving.

" The boundaries of science being now esta-
blished, the province of taste may be inferred,
as including all not restricted by the former.
When the rules of science have defined what is
invariable and necessary, a large field will still
remain open for individual taste to luxuriate in
without reproach ; limited, indeed, on all sides
from transgressing its proper bounds, but
within its ample space imfettered. This Ls the
region of taste, to which belongs whatever is
not claimed by the more rigid exactness of
scientific rule. It is the residuary legatee,
when all specified claimants are satisfied.

" But beyond its legitimate sphere it can
have no jurisdiction. Whatever Nature (which
is the law of our Maker) requires, taste cannot
dispense with as out of fashion ; whatever it
rejects, taste cannot patronise into a beauty.
It may prefer colour to colour at its pleasure,
and dispute over the rival claims of its several
favourites, which have naturally an equal claim
to admiration, but it is out of place when it
demands precedence for an angular over a
flowing outline, or for a dbproportionate or
an unmeaning shape over one of which every
part has reference to the whole ; nor ought it
to be allowed to stamp a conventional value
upon an incongruous assemblage of colours.

" A cultivated taste does not often err thus.
And by a cultivated taste, I mean simply, one

that is conversant with a flower in its varieties,
and takes an interest in their observation. It
is curious to observe the tact a person rapidly
acquires in discerning anything that is rejdly a
natural defect, or the parent of a natural ad-
vantage, merely by frequent, unconscious com-
parison. And this is the origin of the agree-
ment there is between florists in the ' points ' of
flowers. And the reason it is not more perfect
is because the faculty is not equally cultivated
in all, nor is it perfect in any. Mere observa-
tion has not the means of training the eye to
completeness, for perfection has never hitherto
been reached in the objects of its study. It is
also partly owing to an erroneous as well as a
defective standawl. For in formmg a standard
of excellence of any particular florist's flower,
the legitimate preferences of varying taste have
gener^ly been allowed a voice, which is a
mistake.

"Reasoning, however, will help to supply
the deflctenoy. Discussions on the subject,
such as are constantly appearing in the pages
of periodicals like The Florist^ will always tend
to promote such agreement, because there is
a solid foundation at bottom, and therefore a
true appeal to nature. There are in nature
certain flxed laws applicable (and in practice
already to a great extent applied) to the esti-
mate of any flower. And the readers of such
discussions, whether they agree to or dissent
from what they read, so they but exercise
thought upon it, are gradually acquiring for
themselves the faculty of correctly judging
whether those laws are infringed or not. Nor
can any one have perused these papers without
making an advance in a knowledge, of which,
perhaps, at first he was inclined to dispute the
existence. — Iota."

MARKET PLANTS.— Vin.

The Fuchsia.
HE Fuchsia divides with the Pelar-
gonium the honour of being the plant
most largely cultivated for market
purposes. A firm like that of Messrs. J. and
J. Hayes, of Edmonton, with their extensive
market trade, find it necessary to grow from
eight to ten thousand Fuchsias, and even more
— a prodigious number certainly, and repre-
senting, from the time the cuttings are put in
for striking, till they are sent to market, much
important and hard work. A large house of
Fuchsias, and such an one, for instance, as can
be seen at Edmonton, filled with plants that
will be ready for market in two or three days,
is a sight long to be remembered. Such a
house will contain from 3,000 to 4,000 plants,
in 4r8-pots, their proportions varying according
to the habit of growth, the largest plants being

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T^, . 11 Damsons:

1 E R^li sK . 2 . SliTop shire . 3. Am eric an .

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1878.]

THE YABIETIES OF DAMSONS.

169

2 ft. to 2 ft. 6 in. in height, handsomely pro-
portioned, and laden with flowers. It is no
wonder that they find such a ready sale, for
these plants, when well finished, as the Messrs.
Hayes and other growers finish them, are abso-
lutely perfect as specimens. The Gardeners*
Ckronicle was recently deploring the falling-off
in the culture of the Fuchsia, as represented at
Horticultural Exhibitions, and there is too much
reason for some such remonstrance being
addressed to gardeners. The Fuchsia is not a
difficult plant to do well, and there is scarcely
any other plant that so well repays good
cultivation in its valuable decorative properties.
A few London market-growers of the Fuchsia
should be sent into the provinces, to show
gardeners how Fuchsias might be grown.
Many of them are badly in need of the lesson.

The varieties grown for market-work by the
Messrs. Hayes are chiefly Avalanche (double).
Wave of Life^ Improvement^ a very fine dark
variety ; Constellation^ Prince of Orange^ a
capital variety, said to be twenty years old;
Try-me-O and Sedan, the latter a very flne and
distinct variety. All the foregoing are char-
acterised by that short-jointed, free habit of
growth, out of which symmetrical specimens,
large and small, can be made. The light
varieties are not so numerous as the dai-k ones ;
they consist mainly of Mi^s, Ballantine and Mrs.
Marshall or Arabella, both of which are
excellent for the purpose.

One great secret of success with the Fuchsia
is to grow on the plants without rest, from the
time the cuttings are struck till the plants are
ready for market. The late Mr. Charles J.
Perry, of Castle Bromwich, of Verbena renown,
was one of the best amateur Fuchsia cultivators
for exhibition of his day, and he used to strike
his cuttings in August, and exhibit the plants
the August following, having grown them
3^ ft. to 4 ft. in height, of pyramid shape, and
nearly 3 ft. through at the base. What Mr.
Perry did, others can do.

The market-growers put in two main batches
of cuttings, one in spring, to flower at the end
of February and in March; the other in
August, to flower through April and May.
The cuttings are potted off into thumb-pots
when rooted, and again into 60-pots, so there
is little or no check ; the plants to be marketed
in early spring are got into 48-pot8 in early
autumn, the others not till spring. It is during
the time that the plants are in 60-size pots
that they lay the foundation of the future
specimens. The accomplished market-grower
knows when and where to pinch to secure uni-
formity of shape ; he is constantly among his
plants, noting their progress day by day,
and giving them any litUe attention neces-
sary. How much is involved in this word
"attention." Ask any market-grower the
secret of his success, and he will reply, — " It

is the constant attention they receive." People
are led to suppose that it is some peculiar
mode of treatment that produces such results,
or a system of feeding with stimulants, that
forces the plants into good specimens in spite
of themselves. The only stimulant applied is
a little weak guano-water, given to the
plants when they are coming into bloom. — R.
Dean, Ealing, \V,

THE VARIETIES OF DAMSONS.

[Plate 479].

)HE Damson which is the subject of the
accompanying plate, is one of the most
popular and widely cultivated of English
fruits. Many hundreds of acres of land in
certain districts of the country are devoted to
its cultivation, but it is in our cottage homes,
and in labourers' gardens, that the Damson is
most prized, the crop of this fruit being looked
upon as security for the rent. The Damson is
a true English fruit. It is not found in culti-
vation on the Continent, or elsewhere, except-
ing America, where it has probably been intro-
duced from this country. Of Damsons there
are several varieties, all originating from the
wild plum, Pi*umis insititia. Our plate repre-
sents three of the most important and distinct.

Fig. 1. The English Damson. — This is the
most common variety, and is sometimes called
the Bound Damson, Common Damson, Black
Damson, &c. The fruits are small, roundish-
ovate ; the skin deep purple, or nearly black,
with a fine bloom. Flesh greenish yellow,
acid, almost as austere as a sloe until quite
ripe. It ripens early, and is a great cropper.

Fig. 2. The Sheopshibe Damson, or Long
Damson, Prune Damson, &c. — ^The fruits of
this are much larger and longer than those of
the common English Damson. It is of a long
ovate shape, tapering mostly to the stalk ; the
skin thick ; flesh thick, adhering somewhat to
the stone. This is a variety of excellent
quality, and the best for making preserves, but
it is not such a prolific bearer as the Common.

Fig. 8. The Ambbican Damson. — ^With this
variety we have not much personal acquaint-
ance, having only fruited it one season. The
fruits are large and round, the skin dark purple,
and slightly spotted with brown. Flesh
greenish yellow, adhering to the stone, juicy,
melting, and sweetly flavoured. Mr. Scott, in
his Ovchardisty says it is synonymous with

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170

THE PLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ NOYEUBEB,

Frost Gage and Frost Plum, and " is a plum in
much repute in New York mivrket.** It is
rather a shy bearer.

Cbittbnden's Pbolitio and Eochebtee
Damsons are varieties of great repute in Kent,
being of large size, and very prolific. — ^B.

TEN SHILLING APPLE.

i)HIS Norfolk Apple is noticed by Mr.
Lindley, in his Guide to the Orchard, The
name of course is local, and may perhaps
be traced to the boast of the raiser that a young
tree of it was worth ten shillings. Anyhow,
it is an excellent kind both for kitchen and
dessert use. In fact, some persons prefer it to
the far-famed Bibston Pippin, from its being
more mellow in texture. There are no fixed
rules for taste. I consider that the flavour of
the Ten Shilling comes near to that of Lady
Wemyss, a favourite Fifeshire apple, perhaps
unknown in this quarter.

I have an old hollow tree of the Ten
Shilling, with a flourishing and fruitful top.
The outline figure represents one of its fruit

TlH-SHILLDia AVPLS.

rather under size. It is flattish, angular, and
"purse-mouthed," or "puckered-crowned" — an
old Scottish term for such kinds of apples, when
a purse was a money-bag tied with a string,
but one now seldom used by writers, though it
might serve their purpose equally with that of
a " closed eye in a basin crown." The colour
of the Ten-Shilling is greenish russet, tinged
with red where exposed to the sun. It ripens
in October, and though then fit for use, lasts
on till January, a rare property, though found
in some other kinds of autumn apples.

Any one wishinff for a few scions of the
Ten -Shilling Apple may have them free of
cost, except post^e, on applying to J. Wiobton,
Co8$ey Park^ Norwich.

RIVERS' NEW PEACHES AND
NECTARINES.

])HBEE years ago I promised to note and
give to the Flobist the periods at
which Mr. Eivers' new fruit would
ripen in my orchard-house. But even under
glass the two following springs were so pro-
tracted and cloudy, that several kinds cast
their fruit which I considered safe, and so my
report would have been too imperfect to be
useful. To prevent another disappointment, I
introduced last winter a flow-and-retum hot-
water pipe, and the result has been a liberal
supply of fruit generally, including specimens
of all the new introductions. The artificial
heat besides anticipated the ripening season by
a fortnight. I will now give you the dates of
gathering the first specimen of each variety : —

Peachbb.
Early Beatrice, June 21.
Early Louise, Jaly 2.
Early Leopold, July 3.
Early Alfred, July 22.
Bivers* Early York, July

23.
Hagdala, Aug. 1.
Herlin, Aug. 9.
Goshawk, Aug. 80.
L. PalmerstoD, Sept. 24.

Nectaeineb.
Advance, July 18.
Lord Napier, July 27.
Improved Downtou, Aug.

12.
Dante, Aug. 16.
Stanwiok Elruge, Aug. 18.
Darwin, Aug. 16.
Pine- Apple, Aug. 26.
Victoria, Sept. 8.
Albert Victor, Sept. 4.

These all originated with Mr. Rivers. The
great advance gained by his life-long exertions
is manifested in the extended season of that
delicious fruit, the Nectarine, which the orchard-
house will supply for seven weeks. My list
describes nothing but first-rate fruit of good
size — some veiy large. The trees are vigorous.
Advance, the first on the list, is the last intro-
duction ; it is large, rich, and deeply coloured.
It gained a fortnight on Lord. Napier, our
former earliest. Victoria and Pine-Apple re-
quire a wall. Of the earliest Peaches I cannot
yet speak so favourably, but the well ripened
wood of the present season wiU perhaps work an
improvement. But Eivers* Early York is early,
and combines all the desirables of aperfect Peach.
Goshawk, Magdala, and Merlin are excellent.

My conviction is, as regards orchard-houses,
that if required to perfect the finest Peaches, a
little heat is indispensable. With that aid,

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NEPHBOLBPIS DUFFII.

171

Figs and second-crop Grapes can be fully ma-
tured. Cold orchard-houses will grow Peaches
on the waU, and some of the good old kinds as
standards. But Plums (and how delicious some
of the new introductions are !) can 'be had with
certainty and in profusion, and are free from
all the disappointments which attend Peach-
culture.

Allow me the detail of a discovery which

has wonderfully lessened the labour of my
houses, by the certain and easy destruction
of all the pests which no watching has ever
before extirpated. It is a tobacco-wash, sold
by Messrs. Griffiths and Avis, of Coventry.
One pint to two gallons of water, applied forci-
bly through a small powerful syringe, clears
off every variety of aphis, and the other plagues
which belong to glass structures. — G. D.

NEPHROLEPIS DUFFH.

S)HIS very distinct and apparently sterile
Nephrolepis was obtained from Duke of
York's Island by Mr. DufiP, an employe
of the Sydney Botanic Garden, after whom it
has been named, and proves to be a very
elegant addition to our stove ferns.

The fronds are numerous, tufted, herbaceous
in texture, about 2 feet long, with a stipe of G or
8 inches long, a narrow linear lamina of about
9k foot long, and a mxdtifidly branched apex of 4

to 6 inches long. The lamina and branches are
about half-an-inch broad, pinnate, the pinnae
small alternate or nearly opposite, growing in
pairs, that is, two are attached side by side to
the rachis and overlap each other, about a
quarter of an inch long, rounded, somewhat
broader than long, crenately toothed, and
sterile in all the specimens we have seen. The
lower pinnsB are distant, smaller ; those of the
apical branches especially more crowded* The

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172

THE PL0BI8T AND POMOLOGIBT.

[ NovmrBSB,

upper end of the fronds is twice or thrice
forked, the extreme tips being again divided.
The reins in the rotundate pinnae are flabellately
forked, each terminating within the margin in
a thickened apex ; those of the occasional
accidental elongated pinnae being pinnately
branched.

The fascicles or tufts in which the plant
grows consist of numerous fronds, which are
gracefully arching, forming a very elegant mass,
and from the base of these fascicles are pro-
duced the elongated thread-like stolons charac-
teristic of this genus. Indeed, from its barren
condition, these and other peculiarities of habit
are the only indications of the genus to which
it is referred. It has, so far as we can learn,
no tubers, and hence is possibly not, as we
were inclined to suppose, an abnormal form of
N. tuheroaa. In aspect it is quite analogous
to the narrow-fronded and sometimes multifid
Athynum Filix-fcemina Frizellice, We have
to thank the Messrs. Veitch and Sons for the
specimens from which these descriptive notes
have been drawn up. — T. Moobe.

THE FRUIT SEASON OF 1878.
S)HE spring was most ungenial. I knew
by the absence of bees, that the weather
which was ungenial to them would be
unfavourable to the blossoms of fruit. As
regards fruits in general, I may observe I
have had admirable crops of Plums, Currants
of all kinds. Strawberries, Raspberries, and
Gooseberries. The two last were the finest
crops I ever had. The raspberries are Fastolf^
Bed Antwerp^ and FillhasheU The goose-
berries (the late Mr. Elvers' selection) are
Walnut Green^ Whitesmith^ and Bed Warring-
ton. They are all admirable, and ripen as
placed. Walnut Green is, I think, the best-
flavoured of all; Whitesmith is the best-
flavoured of the Lancashire show sorts, and
Warrington is the best finisher. He also
sent me the Red Champagne and Ironmongers^
both excellent in flavour, but too small.
The only difference between them was, one was
pubescent and the other impubescent, one was
of branching habit, and the other of erect habit,
the flavour being identical. Ironmonger is
the best bottler or preserve gooseberry known.
I cannot mention Mr. Rivers without ac-
knowledging how much I am indebted to him

for almost all the fruits in my garden, many of
them his kind gifts ; indeed, I may say the best
fruits in my garden were his gifts. He has
few more sincere mourners than Mr. Brehaut
and myself. But I must proceed.

Many of the pear-trees failed, but the fol-
lowing are splendidly cropped, especially the
first I name, which is one of the best to have,
namely — Beun-e Ilardt/^ GratioU^ Beun^e
Mauxion^ Beun-e d'Amanlis^ Poire Peche^
Mane Louise d*Uccle^ Comte de Lamy^
Albertine, Duchess of Orleans^ Beurre Bache-
lier^ Beun*e' Diel^ Souvenir du Congres^ Thomp-
son% and Dr. Trousseau. They are all on the
Quince stock. I was not aware they were so
well cropped when I sent an account to the
Gaj'denei*s* Chronicle. Many of the pear-trees
are black-blighted. Three of the best pears
here — ^namely, Josephine de Malines^ Beurre
Superfin^ Doyenne du Cornice^ are poorly cropped.
' Apples (early) are a failure, but the late
orchard apples are a splendid crop. The best
cropper chiefly is called the Corton Pippin^which
makes excellent cider. I cannot find its name
even in Mr. John Scott*s exhaustive list, and
suppose it is a local name. I have sent some
twigs to Mr. Scott for propagation, and possi-
bly I may some day hear its proper name.

I must now refer to the kings of fruits. Peaches
and Nectarines, which are objects of my special
care and delight. I have been twenty-seven years
studying them ; and I am glad that they re-
quire study and attention all the year round.
The vigour of the trees, and their beautiful
foliage [magnificent — Ed.] will show that they
are looked after. I hardly ever have any
blister, for the trees being in such good
condition, they are able to withstand the
effects of severe weather, both in the winter
and in the spring. The spring, as I have
already observed, was most ungenial ; we had
no sun to ripen the male dust, without which
impregnation cannot take place. From Mr.
Brehaut's " Peach-Pruner " (p. 17), I glean
the following: — "The flowers are composed
of floral envelopes and sexual organs. The
floral envelopes are the calyx and corolla ; the
divisions of the calyx are known as sepals, and
those of the corolla as petals. The sexual
organs are the stamens and the pistil. The
stamens are the male organs, which are many,
and surround the pistil or female organ, which
is a unit, in the centre of the stamens. The
anther at the extremity of the stamens contains
pollen, or fertilising dust. The pistil is the
female organ of plants, the extremity of Jwhich
is called the stigma, and the base the ovary,

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VILLA GABDENING FOB NOYEMBEB.

173

whicli contains the embryo fruit, while the
intermediate apace is called the style." Unless
there is, therefore, sufficient sun to ripen the
pollen of the male organs, which pollen must
be transferred to the stigma of the pistil, there
can be no impregnation, though the flowei-s be
millions. Bees and gentle breezes greatly aid
in the transference of the pollen.

I am surprised that Mr. Brehaut's " Peach-
Pruner ** has not gone through many editions.
I am a short-pruner myself, for which, as well
as for long-pruning, the work contains admir-
able directions. Buy it, reader ; it will only
cost you, post free, 3s. 8d. I may say
that I was a short-pruner long before this
most useful work came out, but I am
thankful for its confirmation. My peach crops
under glass (without heat) have been very
good, especially the Early Silver^ Royal George^
Barringion^ Early Alfred^* Early Louise^ and
Grosse Mignonne, The Nectarines both in-
doors and outdoors have not cropped well. As
regards Peach trees "to go anywhere or do
anything," as the Duke of Wellington said of
the English soldier, I believe the Royal George
has no superior ; but under glass, being without
glands, it is subject to mildew, which I meet
simply with cold water and a sponge. I have
seen enough of nostrums. The remedies I
have found to be worse than the diseases !
These trees have cropped best out-of-doors —
Early York^ Barrington^ Princess of Wales^
Bellegarde^ Royal George^ and Early Alfred.
I have eleven trees under glass, and 125 out-
of-doors ; but the failures are many, and the
successes few. Many trees set their fruit, and
then dropped them, specially Cherries, and also
other fruits. On the whole, I am quite satis-
fied, and grateful to the Giver of all good
things, and the Wisest Dispenser.

I have just finished the season with Lady
Palmerston (Oct. 4). My best late Peaches
are Barrington, Nectarine Peach, Princess of
Wales, a sure cropper, magnificent, and has the
finest largo flowers, Lord Palmerston, and Lady
Palmerston, the last has yellowish flesh. I
began the season on July 29th with Early
Louise. The trees are abundantly triple-budded,
and very healthy. All the trees have been
deprived of the points of their leaves, in order
to ripen the wood. The wood, to stand the
winter, should be blood red, or at least the
colour of mahogany. When the twigs have
been shrouded with leaves, the wood looks like
sickly green sealing-wax, and is unripe, and
will neither stand a severe winter, nor bear
well, although such wood will flower well.

I will now give a list of the Peaches and
Nectarines here : —

Peaches : Noblesse, Grosse Mignonne,
Golden Frogmore, Lord Palmerston, Lady

* This has be«a errooeoaBly described as haTing roand
glands, but all my trees are alike without glands.

Palmerston, Princess of Wales, Nectarine
Peach, Eoyal George, Early York, Bellegarde,
Alexandra Noblesse, Golden Eagle, Tippicanoe,
Crimson Galande, Early Ascot, Early Silver
(fine flavour), Early Louise, Barrington, Early
Alfred, Violette Hative, Early Beatrice, Prince
of Wales, Snow Peach (white blossoms, curious,
but worthless). Albatross, Early Victoria (like
the Early York), Gregory's Late, Dr. Hogg,
Magdala, Early Bivers, Eadclyffe, Late Admir-
able, Walburton Admirable, and Acton Scott.

NEOTA.EINES : Elruge, Violette Hative,
Downton, Emmerton's White, Bivers' White,
Prince of Wales, Bivers' Orange, Bivers'
Pine- Apple (the finest of all), and Lord Napier,
the true colour of which is blood-purple.
Those portrayed in the Floeist were grown, I
presume, under glass, and hence are not so
highly coloured, light being the colourer, as
sun is the sweetener.

For genial gardens, or under glass, I strongly
recommend the Early Silver Peach ; for an
early peach out-of-doors, the Early Louise — it
also crops well under glass. Finally, I highly
recommend Parham's glass copings. My friend
Mr. Connop, of Fifehead Neville, near here,
has had a splendid crop this year, under the glass
copings of Mr. Parham. — ^W. F. Badclyffb,
Oheford Fitzpaine,

VILLA GARDENING FOR
NOVEMBER.

3S we write, the weather is so fine — so
soft, balmy, and pleasantly dry for
October — that one could well wish it
would remain so for a long time. If it would
only linger a little, before the prime, the full
fruitage and the red ripeness darkens to the
decay and blackness of winter I But the
change presses for«7ard. Summer's flame has
deepened to autumn's crimson, and the flush
of colour becomes extinguished in shadows that
come before frost and storm.

It is now a good time for gardeners ; they
can now get rid of some of the weeds that
have defied all extinguishing processes during
the summer ; leaves can be gathered together ;
and the cleanliness that will result, will make
some amends for the general untidiness of the
past summer.

Stove and Greenhouse. — A warm green-
house or stove, to which fire-heat can be
applied at all times, makes the Villa Gardener
independent of weather. But many are apt to
abuse this advantage by firing-up too much,
and killing half the plants by maintaining too
dry and debilitating an atmosphere. This is
to be avoided. In a stove there will now be
Crotons^ Draccenas^ and such like winter decor-
ative plants, most of which will be in a free
growing state ; and where the new growth is

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174

THE FLOBIST AND POHOLOOIBT.

[ NOVSKBER,

Bhort-jointed, healthy, and strong, the plants
should have every encouragement, by placing
them near the glass in a strong light, and
keeping them a Httle dry. The plants should
now be arranged, as far as it can be done, to
afford winter decoration ; keeping them as
uniform and neat as their habits of growth
will allow, tying into shape as may be<necessary.
By changing the position of the plants occa-
sionally, a little relief to the otherwise mono-
tonous appearance of the house can be brought
about. Do not overcrowd the house ; it is much
better to have a few plants in good condition,
than many wanting in general attractiveness.

Cold Gbeenhouse. — The elements are deal-
ing tenderly with this structure, and flowers
come forth far beyond the allotted time. A
number of Colchicumsy both single and double,
in pots, have been very attractive, with the blue-
purple Crocus speciosus among them. Zonal
Pelargoniums^ Fuchsias^ and Tuberous-rooted
Begonias are still gay, and with them are
associated the Ahutilons Boule de Neige^ white ;
Lemoinei^ yellow; and rosceflorum^ rose — ^plants
that are extremely well adapted for a cold house
at this time of the year, and which simply re-
quire to be kept Veil watered and free from
green-fly. When these are over, the berried
Solanums and the Chrysanthemums will succeed
them; with Primulas of several kinds, and
Cyclamens^ to follow on. Fuclisia Dominiana
is flowering also ; and Aralia Sieboldii is throw-
ing up its curious ivy-like flowers. Oleanliness
here also is of great importance, for by keeping
the shelves of the house clean, the plants clear
of decaying leaves, the surface-soil stirred, and
all neat and tidy, the appearance of a house will
be greatly improved. A few Hyacinths^ Poly*
anthus Narcissi^ Tulips^ Crocuses^ and Scillas
should be potted, to help the floral succession in
spring. Not only are these plants very gay
and effective in their season, but they are
also easily grown, and there is little else
to take their places. As soon as the
bulbs are potted, they shoxdd be stood
away in some odd corner, on boards or slates
resting on a good layer of cinder ashes,
and covered over with the same to the depth
of 2 in., when they should be left untouched
for six weeks or two months.

Floweb Gabden. — The bedding plants lin-
ger on and bloom as if it were hard for things
so fair to make haste to die ; and indeed, the
variegated Pelargoniums of all sections have
been veiy pretty for the last month, and are
likely to continue so. Any plants it is desir-
able to winter in pots should be lifted ere frost
and wet destroy them. This is a good time of
year to replant borders of hardy plants, lifting
them and deeply digging and enriching the
ground with dung and leaves, and then re-
planting. Roses should now be planted. It
is always well to get this done as early as pos-

sible, as new roots are put forth, and they get
well hold of the soil before winter. In making
plantations of Hoses, let there be among them
some of the best of the tea-scented varieties
worked on the seedling brier, to give flowers in
autumn. Bedding Pansies and Violas that
have bloomed well during the summer should
be lifted, pulled to pieces, and replanted in a
nursery-bed, to establish themselves, and they
will be found most useful for planting out in
early spring.

Cold Fbahe. — ^During autumn, winter, and
spring the cold frame is a most useful adjunct
to the villa garden, and it can be made an ex-
cellent feeder to the cold greeenhouse. A look
over the occupants of our own cold frame can
be turned to account, to show something of
the hardy plants grown in pots that do so well
to flower in early spring. There are double
and single Primroses, some of the latter already
in bloom, Scillas, Triteleia uniflora, the pretty
GauUheria procumhens^-vtiih. its white flowers
and small coral berries. Auriculas, Polyanthus^
Primulas of various kinds. Anemone fulgeus,
and A, apennina, and others too numerous to
mention. Some of these are active in growth,
and others will commence to grow shortly, and
there will be no pause in the floral procession,
till it is lost in the throng of flowers that come
forth to greet the swallow's return.

Kitchen Gabden. — Cojrots^ Parsnips, Beet,
Jeimsalem Artichokes should now be lifted and
stored, if not already done, taking advantage
of any dry weather to get the ground dug
and .thrown up roughly. Celery should be
Anally earthed up, and made snug for the
winter. Those who grow Endive diould tie
up a few of the forward plants, to induce them
to blanch for immediate use. Cabbages and
Broccoli are benefited by hoeing between them,
and earthing up with soil a little. Young
Cabbages can be planted out thickly, and the
forwardest pulled out by-and-by, to make room
for the others. Seakale and Rhtiharb plants
may be prepared for forcing by clearing away
all decaying leaves about the roots, and placing
round them litter and leaves a foot or so in
depth ; they can then be covered over with
forcing-pots, &c., when convenient. During
dry weather ground should be cleaned, and all
rubbish not fit for turning into vegetable refuse
burnt.

Fbuit Gabden. — ^It is said that fruit is not
keeping well this season, and Apples and Pears
should be gone over occasionally, to remove
those that are decaying. Fruit-trees are best
let alone till the leaves fall, but the ground
may be prepared for making new plantations.
All fruit-trees will move well now, and the
earlier the work is got through, the better.
Towards the end of the month, any pruning
necessary to be done should at once be
proceeded with. — Sububbanus.

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1878. ]

OABDEN QOSSIP.

175

GARDEN GOSSIP.

iHE meeting of the Botal Hoeticul-
TUBAL Society on October 15 was a

most attractive one, the council-room

and gpaoiouB yestibule being quite filled. The show
of Grapes from Messrs. Lane and Son, of Great
Berkhamstead, of Pine-apples (the new variety Lord
Oarington) from Mr. Miles, and of Apples and Pears
from Mr. Goldsmith, Messrs. W. Paul and Son,
Messrs. Paul and Son, Messrs. Yeitoh and Sons, and
Mr. Lane, were very meritorious. Amongst plants,
the most remarkable was a finely bloomed Vanda
cosruleOf from Mr. Smith, gardener to 0. Lane,
Esq., Bs^gemore, Henley-on-Thames, the same plant
which was last year awarded a gold medal, and
which this year was again shown in perfect health,
with five spikes, bearing 87 flowers — a notable feat
in orchid-growing. No higher award could be
g^ven than the plant had already received. First-
class Certificates were given to Anthtirium Scherze'
rianiim alhumy from Messrs. Veitch and Sons, the
spathes now assuming some size, and attesting the
ornamental quality of good varieties. To Lastrea
aristata variegata, from both Messrs. Veitch and Sons
and Mr. Bull, a fine Japanese evergreen fern, with
a yellow-green bar down the oosta, forming on the
dark ground-colour a pretty variegation. To Bo-
inarea Carderif a grand, warm greenhouse climber,
with a great branching inflorescence of pale rosy
flowers of much beauty, and having f oUage rivalling
that of Lapageria ; both Mr. Bull and Mr. Green,
gardener to Sir G. Macleay, exhibited this. To
Lastrea crtnt^o, from Mr. Bull, a stately robust
hothouse fern, with a stout erect caudex, and bi-
pinnate fronds set shnttlecook-fashion, and having
thick stipes, bristling over with subulate scales. To
Mamillaria sphacelataf from Mr. Boiler, Kensal New
Town, a tufted species, with oblong stems 8 in. to
4 in. high, and 2 in. in diameter, covered with tufts
of radiating white hair-spines. To Pemettya mu-
cronata lilacina, from Mr. Davis, of Hillsborough,
a variety with pretty pale rosy-lilao berries; it
was accompanied by several other forms, with
berries varying much in colour. A Botanical
Certificate was given to Messrs. Veitch and Sons
for PhalcBnopsis violacea, a singular plant, with
broad glossy green drooping leaves, and whitish
flowers tipped with green, the curiously shaped
lip purple, as also is the inner margin of the two
lateral sepals near the base. From the same col-
lection came PhcUcsnopsia EsmeraldOy with spikes
of small purplish flowers. Messrs. Veitch also
showed a hybrid Cattleya MastersonianOf with rosy
sepals and petals, and a remarkable quadrately
expanded lip, the front lobe of which was purple.
Pretty groups were shown by Mr. Williams, who
had quite a display of Pleiones ; by Mr. Bull, and
others. Messrs. Laing aifd Co. had a fine display of
Begonias, and Messrs. Veitch and Sons had a large
and most interesting group of young plants of
hardy evergreen shrubs, a basketful of each. Messrs.
W. Paul and Son sent several boxes of beautiful
Cut Boses, and Mr. B. Parker had a very large and
showy collection of cut specimens of hardy herbaceous
plants. From Mr. Sage, of Ashridge Park, came a
handsomely grown pot vine, with eleven excellent
bunches ; and a First-class Certificate was given to
a high-coloured apple, grown at Chiswick, and named
Baumann's Red Winter Pearraain.

— Since Bubnt Clay is a material of
great value in the amelioration of heavy clay
soils, a brief explanation how the operation of
burning is carried out, may be useful to the inex-

perienced. About London the work is done at any
convenient season, but preferably in autumn and in
dry weather. The soil is dug out to a depth of 6 in.
or 8 in., then a thick layer of brushwood is pla<^d
on the ground, and over that a layer of fine breeze
or coal ; this is followed by a layer of clay, then
more breeze, followed by more clay, and so on,
until a heap or ridge is formed. The brushwood is
then ignited, and this fires the .breeze or coal, and
the whole heap gradually becomes a burning
smouldering mass. Care must be taken that the
fire does not bum through at any point. The cost
in the neighbourhood of London is about 8s. a yard

— " IJoBOOBEL " is the title of a little book

published by Simpkin and Marshall (London)

and Lowe (Shifnal), and giving an account of

Boscobel House, and the Boyal Oak in an adjoining
field, in which King Charles II. took refuge after
the battle of Worcester. The author is the Eev.
H. G. De Bunsen, Rector of Donington, in which
parish the house is situate. Of the house it is said
that it is the same house, and very much in the
same condition, as when Charles II. visited it. It
seems to have been built for the purpose of hiding
Popish recusants, and was called Boscobel from the
Italian hoaco helloy because it was seated amongst
fair woods. Of the tree, we read that it stands in
the field adjoining the garden, and is surrounded by
a substantial iron palisading, but whether it is the
identical tree in which the King took shelter, or
whether it is another which stood by its side, or has
sprung up since, is a moot point, and the different
records relating to this matter form the principal and
most interesting part of the little book. Stukeley's
evidence (1776), to the effect that " the oak is in the
middle [of the enclosure], almost cut away by
travellers," and that " close by its side grows a very
thriving plant, from one of its aoems," seems to
show that the original tr«e is not that which now
bears the name of the Boscobel Oak, an engraving
of which is given in the Qardenen^ Chronicle for
October 19, 1878.

— {Thb following mixture is said to be a
sure remedy for DssTBOYiNa Gbben-flt on
plants : — Soft soap, ^ lb., dissolved (not boiled)
in soft water ; strong tobacco (common shag), 2 oz.,
boiled for an hour with 1 oz. of bitter aloes ; 8
gallons of warm soft water. Mix thoroughly, and
then dip or syringe the plants affected with fly.
These ingredients are inexpensive and easily
obtained, and the mixture thoroughly efficacious.

— ®nB Bobbin Cabbage Lettuce was

found to stand best, among the large number of

varieties tried at Chiswick this season. It

was singular to note that while heads of all other
varieties had bolted off to seed, the Bossin was as
unbroken as when it was hearting-in. It is not a
taking-looking lettuce, being somewhat large and
coarse, with brownish-tinted fringed loaves. Of its
standing qualities there can be no doubt, and after
all, it is the inside of a lettuce that salad-eaters are
most concerned about.

— SThe Golden Japanese Box is described

by Mr. Syme as being remarkable for the bright- •

ness of its colour ; indeed, it is the brightest

golden plant in his collection. Qusmtities of it, from
8 inches to 1 foot in height, grouped together, look
like a mass of burnished gold. This box, retaining,
as it does, much of its brightness and beauty
throughout the winter, when there is such a paucity

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176

THE FLOEIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ NOVBMBEB,

of colour, might be effeotivelj used as a permanent
bedding plant.

— ®NE of the most troublesome of garden

posts is the Slug. A recent writer remarks

there is nothing better to get rid of Slugs than

a sprinkling of sifted coal-ashes ran through a half-
inch sieye, just sufficient to cover the surface ; and
it is equally effectiye against worms coming out at
night, and drawing the plants back with them into
their holes. Nothing of a soft, slimy nature that
crawls oyer the earth's surface will willingly face
the sharp jagged edges of the ashes, which may be
used freely among young growing crops in autumn
and spring with beneficial effects in other ways ; for
besides guarding the plants from these attacks,
coal-ashes attract the rays of the sun, keep the soil
from baking, or its pores becoming sealed up after
heayy rains, and tend to check any bad effects
from too much water lodg^g round the stems or
collars of the plants. Thos^ who are troubled in
this way are strongly adyised to sprinkle coal-
ashes amongst all tiieir young crops; it will be
found both a good and cheap remedy, and one always
available. Pepper has also been recommended.

— IEn Ireland, at Valentia, the Lily of the

Nile, BiOHABDiA iETHiopiCA, which there grows

almost wild, is so floriferous that at times as
many as 115 flowers have been counted on a single
plant. The indiyidual blooms of the present year
haye measured round the edge of the spathe 36 in. ;
longitudinally across the throat, lOj in. ; and trans-
versely, 6| in. So says the Knight of Kerry.

— iSls a forcing plant, Habeison's New Musk
is found to be useful by Mr. Mclndoe, of Hutton
Hall Gardens, who employs it largely in this
way, putting in cuttings in October, which quickly
grow into fresh and vigorous young plants ; these
flower with great freedom in winter and spring, and
are very useful for conservatory work.

— JThb most distinct New Tubebous

Begoniab noted amongst those exhibited at the

recent Versailles show were Madame Thiers^

a large semi-double pink, which may not inaptly be
described as Anemone-flowered j Defense ur de Bel-
fort, a very large orange-scarlet ; Edmund PuteauWf
of the same size and style as the last, but of a
darker shade of colour ; 3f . Albert Truffauty a fine
scarlet, with a light centre; and Amie Cessier, a
nicely-formed orange-scarlet. These are all good,
but Madame Thiers is the best. The exhibitor was
M. Lateaux-Chambault.

— ^The following is a well-attested recipe

for making Sibebian Cbab Jelly : — Take off

the stalks, weigh and wash the crabs, then to

each pound and a half add a pint of water, and boil
gently until they are broken; do not allow them
to pulp, but pour the whole into a jelly-bag. When
the juice is quite transparent, weigh it, put it into
a clean preserving-pan, and boil quickly for ten
minutes ; then take it off the fire, and stir in, until it
is dissolved, ten ounces of fine sugar to each pound of
the juice ; boil the jelly from 12 to 16 minutes ; skim
it veiy clean, and pour it into the moulds. Should
the quantity be large, a few additional minutes' boil-
ing must be given to the juice before the sugar is
added.

— H FINE specimen of the Indian Magnolia
Campbelli is growing in the gardens at Lake-
lands, near Cork, the residence of W. Crawford,

Esq. This tree has been planted out about six or
seven years, and so rapid has been its growth, that
it is now a tree, with noble leafage and imposing
aspect. Viewed as a deciduous tree of fine pro-
portions and faultless symmetry, when seen merely
in its summer clothing of exceptionally large and
fine foliage, its value as an ornamental object is
apparent ; how much more so, when in spring, before
the leaves appear, it is decked with glorious-cupped
flowers, six to ten inches across, varying in colour
from white to deep rose or crimson, and exhaling an
agreeable fragrance ! The Lakelands specimen has
not yet flowered.

— 21 OOBBESPONDBNT of the Gardetiei'^

writing of Vine bobdebs of light loam, states

that when made up of sods, they keep in good

condition much longer than when the materials are
chopped up and mixed. He used soda cut into
pieces 6 in. or 7 in. square, and packed closely
together in layers, with the g^rass-side down, the
manure and bones used being strewn on each layer
of sods, and a little fine soil used to fill up any open
spaces, the object being to get a solid and firm mass,
so as to exclude the decomposing power of the
atmosphere. Vines planted in borders thus made
are not only equally strong with those planted in
loose chopped turf, but the character of the wood is
far better, being harder, with less pith. As to the
roots, those in the chopped soil have produced com-
I>aratively few large ones, and but few fibry ones
near the stems of the vines, while in the solid border
there is a perfect network of roots up close to the
collar of the vines. " I would never," he adds, " when
working with light soil, chop a single turf, but use
them as they come from the field, and make the
whole as solid as possible ; neither should any de-
scription of lime be used, but instead some charcoal
and bones."

— JW* GusTAV Wallib, the botanical col-
lector, died on June 20, at Cuen9a, in Ecuador.
His explorations in South America have been

the means of introducing several hundred new
South- American ornamental plants to our g^ardens
and plant-houses.

— fiHR, Thomas Belt, the weU-known
traveller, naturalist, and geologist, died at
Denver, Colorado, of rheumatic fever, on Sep-
tember 22, in his 46th yelur. He was son of the
late Mr. George Belt, a nurseryman and seedsman,
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and in 1861 joined in the
first great gold rush to Australia, since which time
his life has been that of a hard-working, successful
mining engineer.

— |Hb. W. Windebank, Jun., of the Bevois
Mount Nursery, Southampton, died at Salis-
bury, on October 10, at a comparatively early

age. While in health, he was an ardent florist and
horticulturist. The Chinese Primula was one of
his specially favoured plants, and the collection of
some fifteen or sixteen divers kinds and colours
which he formerly preserved, and reproduced from
year to year with great care, was perhaps unrivalled
for variety or excellence in the kingdom.

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1978. ]

CnOICE NEW CARNATIONS. — THE CULTUBE OF WALL-FBUITS — CH.VP. XVI.

177

CHOICE NEW

[Plate
^ UB plate represents tliree varieties, the
production of the well-known and
veteran raiser — though young in years
— Mr. Benjamin Simonite, of Bough Bank,
Sheffield. Of these Mr. Dodwell remarks : —
" Mr. Bosenberg has caught and very happily
delineated the habit, smoothness, and markings
of these beautiful varieties, but the colouring
in the chromoliths is not happy. Neither in
the Crimson Bizarre, Samuel Barlow, or the
Purple Flake, James Douglas, are the tints
so bright as in Nature ; but this is rather a
misfortune than a fault, for Nature is inimit-
able in her colours.

" James Douolas {^g, 2), a Purple Flake, was
sent out in the autumn of 1 876, and in my collec-
tion this year, as also in that in the charge of
Mr. Douglas at Loxford Hall, was undoubtedly
the finest of its class. Nothing could surpass

CARNATIONS.

480.]

its lovely bright purple, sparkling white, and

decided markings ; it was also of the largest size.

"Samuel Bablow (fig. 1), as well as the
Bbv. F. D. Hobneb, are as yet in the raiser's
hands. The former, a noble Crimson Bizarre,
follows the habit and character of J. D. Hex-
tall, C.B., another of the fine varieties raised
by Mr. Simonite, save that the purple or
maroon of the bizarre is of deeper tint, and
will, I am persuaded, be greatly valued when
it is accessible to cultivators of these popular
flowers. As shown in the plate, Samuel
Barlow appears small, the figure having, I
learn, been drawn from a late side-bloom, but
this is not the case in Nature, the flowers seen
by me having been of full size.

" The Bev. F. D. Hobneb (fig. 3) is a very
brilliant Scarlet Flake, much in the style of a
fine Sportsman." — ^M.

THE CULTURE OF WALL FRUITS.

Ohapteb XVI. — The Apbicot (continued).
cultivators inculcate a free practical purposes, by retaining only the neces-

\ANY cultivators inculcate a
exposure of the fruit to the influence
of sunlight, and even go so far as to
cut away wood and pinch off foliage, in order to
render the exposure more complete. I am
inclined to the belief that this practice would
be " more honoured in the breach than in the
observance." My opinion is that the practice
of severe thinning and cutting away of the
wood and defoliation in the summer cannot be
too much deprecated, as it is a sure method of
developing a strong late growth, which our
climate will not ripen sufficiently. The
energies of the trees would, I believe, be far
more wisely directed to the perfecting and
ripening of a good supply of the wood and
foliage of the first growth, than in forcing a
strong late growth, which, for all fruit-
bearing purposes, is worthless, and except that
required for filling vacant spaces, would have
to be cut out at the winter pruning. For
the same reasons, I deprecate defoliation
in toto^ under the belief that the foliage is
absolutely necessary to the perfect development
of both fruit and wood buds, and that it is
quite possible, when nailing-in the wood in
July, to expose the fruit quite sufficiently for all

No. 12. IHPEBIAL 8EBIES. — I.

sary wood to keep the tree well furnished : a
trifle over here and there being allowed for con-
tingencies, which would naturally occur to a
practical man, and the remainder being either
removed entirely, or cut back for spurs, as
before advised. The exposure of the fruit
should be made a secondary consideration,
and by no means should any of the foliage be
removed, since that has its natural functions
assigned to it, and if these are interfered with,
it is no wonder thai we have to complain of
unripened wood and abortive blooms.

I am also of opinion that the frequent re-
commendation to thin-out the wood in the
autumn, in order that the sun's heat may assist
in the ripening process through its exposure,
should be taken with reservation, as I have
been led to conclude, from observation, that the
leaves play a more important part in the
thorough maturation of the wood than is gener-
ally supposed, and they ehould by no means be
removed until their natural functions have been
discharged, and the trees are ready to oast them
off in due course. Then, again, as to the
necessity or otherwise of taking extra pains to
expose the fruit to the full influence of the

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THE FL0KI6T AND P0M0L0GI9T.

[ December,

gun ; this should also be taken with very great
reservation. I am inclined to the belief that
it IB a mistaken idea, and that more evil than
good results from the practice. Fruit which is
fully exposed to the sun will often be found to
be thoroughly ripe on the sunny side, and hard
and green at the back; and in the great
majority of cases, before the back becomes
ripened, the front skin will have been pierced
by insects, and thus opened to the influence of
dews or rains, which soon cause decay, so that
the fruit becomes useless for anything but
tarts ; whilst, on the contrary, those fruits which
are ripened under the natural protection of the
foliage will always be found equaUy ripened
all over, probably because the presence of the
foliage prevents a too rapid evaporation of the
heat absorbed by the wall during the day.

As regards flavour and colour, which de-
foliators assign as a reason for the practice of
exposure, I have never been able to detect any
material difference between exposed and pro-
tected fruits — ^if there be any difference, I
should be inclined to give the palm to the
latter, as being invariably of an equal degree
of ripeness all through ; whereas, the former
will have a titbit on the side next the sun,
and an unripened back. Again, the delicate
colour of the partially shaded fruit, being equal
all over, looks better when dished up than the
bronzed fronts and green backs of the other.

I advise, then, that the manipulation of the

trees when nailing-in the summer's growth
should be carried on without any special
reference to the exposure of the fruit. In the
course of the operation, some will naturally be
exposed and some covered over by the leaves,
and no particular care need be taken either
way ; but a clean, healthy, and abundant crop
of foliage is absolutely necessaiy to the full
and perfect development of the tree in all
its parts — fruits as well as wood, and should
not be sacrificed to a mistaken theory.
Nature does not take any extraordinary means
for the exposure of the fruit on trees which are
not subjected to artificial restraint, and more-
over, the finest fruit is generally found on those
trees which have a healthy and abundant
foliage. We have a sufficiency of restrictive
measures to enable us to regulate the general
welfare of the tree in the manipulation of the
roots and branches. The removing of the
foliage when it is in full action is bad policy,
as it weakens the fruit-buds, and interferes more
than is necessary with root-action. This is
more particularly the case when a tree is very
fruitful and inclined to bear large crops ; in such
cases, the cutting-away the foliage is suicidal,
for the great draught which the fruit then
makes upon the roots renders it necessary to
encourage as much foliage as possible, in order
to assist the action of the roots, instead of
retarding that action by its removal — ^John
Cox, Redleaf,

THE REV. G. JEANS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

No. IX.

HAVE now brought this essay to a close ;
and beg to return my sincere thanks for
the courtesy which has borne with
its extension to a much greater length
than I anticipated. The earlier papers, not
from having Jiad more care bestowed upon
them, but from the nature of their subjects,
are more complete than the later ones, nor
have I omitted in them anything I intended
to say. The same cannot be affirmed of the
portions on auxiliary forms, and on the
province of taste, because the principle being
fully given, it was unnecessary to lengthen
these letters still further by applying it to
every case to which it is applicable. The
observations on colour require a more ample
apology ; for having (with the exception men-
tioned in the note) been drawn exclusively from
the inspection of Nature, and that with very con-

fined opportunities, they cannot claim to ex-
hibit the completeness of a system. As far as
they go, however, I have but little misgiving
about their correctness.

" That I have made no mistakes in the philo-
sophical elements of beauty in a flower is rather
to be wished than expected, but I have taken
the best means that lay in my power to make
none. Neither can I be a competent judge of
the extent to which I have succeeded in my
original purpose, but this I hope may be con-
sidered as proved, that the pursuit of the florist
is as little to be branded as childish, and is not
less rational as a recreation, than any other part
of horticulture. I do not scruple boldly to
avow before the most fastidious, that it is a
pursuit not unworthy of a wise man, nor un-
befitting a good one ; it is elegant, instructive,
scientific, and full of results. And the reader
of his Bible may see, and grow wiser by see-

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AUTUMNAL FLOWEBINQ PLANTS.

179

ing, in it another instance of the tenure on
which he holds his portion on earth ; that the
ground and the things that grow out of it do
not yield to him their advantages, without -the
labour of his hands and the exercise of his
intelligence.

" I have no wish to place the occupation of
the florist above its natural mark, but I am
sure that, in itself, in all its branches, it is un-
deserving of any reproach, unless it be one to
feel the beauties God has created for our plea-
sure, and to draw them forth from the obscurity
in which He has hidden them, by the means
He has appointed for the purpose. The same
objection which is made to cultivated varieties
of a natural flower would equally condemn the
diamond to remain in obscurity in the mine
where God has placed it, and would stigmatise
the adventitious splendour it derives from out-
ting and polishing at man's will as an interfer-
ence with nature. It may be— we know not;
but it is neither impossible nor violently im-
probable — that before sin entered into the
world, when the earth gave forth her increase
without labour, the flowers may have spon-

taneously exhibited that standard of perfection,
an approach to which the florist now labori-
ously aims at drawing forth from them. It
may have been the same, too, with the harvest
of the field and the fruits of the orchard ; and
that varieties of both, as incomparably superior
in kind as superabounding in quantity to any-
thing we now see, may have been on their pro-
gross to maturity, to call forth the thanksgiving
of pure hearts, had those hearts continued
puiB, And such may also be in store for a
future period. But in the meantime, we know
that labour is enjoined, and that not of the
hands alone, but of the brow ; an expression
which seems to betoken what is certainly true
in fact, that to obtain the riches of the soil, a
trial of mental skill is required on the part of
man, a putting forth of the resources of his
intelligence, to overcome the reluctance of
nature to rise up to its capabilities. And
whether his ingenuity be exercised on the com,
on the fruit, or on the flower, it is rightly
exercised ; and the results are additions to the
sum of human pleasures, which the Creator
himself has not thought beneath His care.

Synopsis of the Essay on the Philosophy of Flonsts* Flowers,

BEAUTY in a

flower is pro-

daoed by

I. Form,
consisting of

ouilineSf
general and
subordinate.

II. Colour.

1. Ahsolutef
requiring

2. Tlelalive,

1. In General^
or separately,

(1.) Unity : infringed in ideOy by a
plurality of equivalent parts. In ouU
linCy by intervals — by abrupt changes.

(2.) Variety [effects of straight lines and
curves] : of form— of number— of
colour.

CBeii dependent on cbaracteristioa of the
j flower and mode of colouring. Actually,
1 hemispherical the most perfect. Other
[_ examples.

)

{ 2. In Union; must be

I in juxtaposition, and
mutually adapted ; ^
L producing,

Must be bright, distinct.

(1.) Combination, if in natwral agrei'
ment And this is distinct^ clouded,
or compound.
(2.) Contrast, if in natural contrarie^.
^Comparison of the two modes.

Province of Taste includes all not restricted by necessary laws of i^^ature.

Iota."

AUTUMNAL FLOWERING PLANTS.

i)WO of the prettiest flower-beds that we
had in the gardens here at the middle
of October, were filled with early autumn
flowering Chrysanthemums and herbaceous
Anemones. The Chrysanthemums were planted
out in a large oval figure, with Sensation, a varie-
gated-leaved sort, at 10 in. apart, as an edging,
next to the grass. The colours of four sorts
were arranged inside this, as follows, — white,
blush, purple, and yellow, the latter occupying
the centre. They were all, at that period, a
mass of blossom, the stems of the flowering

sorts being completely hidden by the dense
mass of variegated foliage, which reaches from
the surface to a height of 15 in. The group,
when viewed at a short distanoe ofiP, was most
eGPective.

The other bed was planted with Anemone
japonica round the edge, as being the dwarfest
grower; Hononne Javbert^ a white-flowered
variety, with reddish stamens, and of Conti-
nental origin, was planted next ; while the centre
was made up with A, japonica hybrida^ a light
purple variety, of garden origin. These three

N 2

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180

THE FL0KI8T AND POMOLOGIST.

[Deckmber,

sorts flower at the same time, and make up into
a very effective group. They are all deep
stringy-rooting plants, and do not like being
disturbed, but are found to succeed best by
allowing them to remain and to produce their
flowering stems from the old stools. The plan
we adopt here is to fork out the young suckers
in the spring, and afterwards mulch the bed
over with a good mixture of rotten dung and
leaf-soil. There are some beds here which
have been managed in this way for upwards of
twelve years, and which flower profusely every
season. The modem style of filling up flower-
beds annually is a heavy tax upon gardeners,
and anything in the way of getting beds filled
with permanent plants is generally considered
as a relief. — J. Webstkb, Gordon Castle,

PORTABLE HOT-WATER
BOILERS,

[)E have lately met with one or two
appliances which seem to supply a want
which is very often experienced, —
that of some simple but effectual means to heat
the small greenhouse or conservatory of the
amateur. There is no difficulty whatever
where the house or houses are large enough to
require the use of a properly adjusted hot-
water apparatus, and where there is a gardener
at hand to see that a fire is made when neces-
sary, and kept burning as long as may be re-
quired ; but in the small plant structures —
attached or detached — which are erected in
connection with suburban villas, and where the
proprietor or a domestic servant has to take
charge of the warming apparatus, the repul-
sion of frost and the maintenance of a suitable
temperature are often troublesome matters.

One of the most promising of these small heat-
ing apparatus is Messrs. Heaps & Wheatley's
Portable Hot-water Boiler, represented in the
annexed figure. This apparatus is heated by
petroleum lamps, which have suflBcient power
to raise the water to boiling point, if necessary.
Another similar form of apparatus is now made,
in which either petroleum or gas can be used.
As the former is not injurious to plants, no
special provision is made, or indeed needed, for
carrying off its fumes. These boilers are kept
in three sizes : — No. 1, the smallest, is made
in copper or tin, and has a brass tap, oil cistern,
and one powerful burner ; the three 2^in. pipes

are 2 ft. G in. long, of wrought iron galvanised,
and connected by brass unions. No. 2 is larger,
is made in copper or tin, and furnished with
two burners, the pipes 3 ft. 9 in. long. No. 3,
shown in the drawing, is made only in coj^er,
and the pipes (shown cut off) are 5ft. long;
this has three burners. At the end opposite the
boiler the pipes are connected to an upright
tube, the upper end of which is expanded into a
vase or funnel, by means of which the apparatus
is charged and the supply of water kept up.
The openings at the top of the boiler are flues ;
and when gas is employed, an open-mouthed
funnel collects the fumes given off, and con-
ducts them through a pipe outside the house.
In the newer form now made, the boiler, with
three burners, stands in the centre, and on
each side is a stack of three pipes, 2 ft. 6 in.
long, the ends of which are inserted into two

(

Heaps & Wdkatlky's Portablb Hot-watbe Boiler.
upright tubes, of which one has an open funnel
for feeding, both stacks being connected with
the boiler by two brass union joints.

This fli'm has also a heated plant-case, or
propagating frame, which we shall describe at
some early opportunity.

Another useful contrivance for the same
object, and one which is perhaps more suitable
for the smallest-sized houses, or for merely ex-
cluding frost, is provided in Tebbs' Universal
Heating Stove, which is adapted for petroleum,
gas, or other fuel. Mr. Tebbs describes his
apparatus as " an original, safe, and economical
means by which the greatest amount of heat
can be obtained with the smallest amount of fuel,
requiring little or no attention for twenty-four
hours, and giving off nothing but pure heated
air.'* This is obtained by bringing any number
of pipes or tubes into one body, arranging them
nearly close together, and allowing the smallest
space between each for the circulation of hot
water on their outer circumference, retaining

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1878. 1

PLANT-GROWTH IN DARKNESS. — THE ABEC AND EARLY PURPLE PEACHES.

181

the inner circumference for the heating of the
atmosphere as it ascends. The pipes or tubes are
thus kept at the same high temperature with a
considerably less quantity of water, thus heat-
ing the air more rapidly as it ascends through
their inner circumference. A rapid and con-
tinuous circulation is also maintained, by means
of an oater pipe or tube connected with the
body at its lowest point and highest centre,
upon which is attached a chamber to allow
for expansion ; and by means of a short
tube placed vertically therein, and passing
through it at its base, and rising above the
water-level, a current of air is allowed to
ascend, which, coming in contact with the
steam, condenses it more rapidly, thus pre-
venting any waste of water and the possibility
of the upper tube becoming empty ; this also
acts as an overflow, in case too much water
has been put in.

Usually petroleum or one of the mineral oils
is used ; but when gas is burnt, a chamber
partly filled with water is so placed that the
whole of the burnt or hot air given off in
combustion is conducted over the surface of
the water, by which it becomes purified, so
that it is not either injurious to health or
vegetation. This can also be had fitted to the
petroleum stove, if desired. These stoves can
be made in any size or shape. — M.

PLANT-GROWTII IN DARKNESS.

PROFESSOR EAUWENHOFP has re-
cently published in the Archives Neer*
landaises the results of his researches
into the causes of the abnormal development
of plants grown in darkness, of which the
following is a summary : —

" The abnormal elongation of stems is partly
to be attributed to an excessive growth of
the pith, combined with an imperfect develop-
ment and slight thickening of the elements of
4he vascular bundles. The anatomical differ-
ence between green and blanched stems is
especially apparent in the slight thickening of
the walls of the epidermal, woody, and liber
cells, in the number and radial dimensions of
the vascular bundles, the absence of the sheath
in the vascular bundles of monocotyledons, and
the relatively greater development of pith.
The defective thickening of the cell-walls is
not, as has been supposed^ due to the absence

of the colouring matter of chlorophyll, because
the walls of the pith-cells are often very thin.
Moreover, the parenchymatous cells of the
bark and epidermis sometimes attain an extra-
ordinary size. The preponderating influence
of the pith is, however, not the sole cause of this
abnormal elongation, since it is also traceable to
other sources, including the whole fundamental
tissue collectively— -to the bark as well as to
the pith, since hollow stems also exhibit this
extraordinary elongation in darkness. The ver-
tical position of blanched stems is determined
by the absence of heliotropism.

"In a word, the anomalies presented by stems
grown in the dark are the effect of negative
geotropism, uninfluenced by heliotropism, and
favoured by the slight thickening of the cell*
walls ; because growth, that is to say, the
division and enlargement of cells, is not
dependent on the presence of light, but pro-
ceeds, often by preference, in the dark;
because negative geotropism acting on a stem
in active growth induces vertical elongation ;
and because heliotropism retards growth, as
inflection is the consequence of feebler longi-
tudinal growth on the side turned towards the
light. The cause of the inequality exhibited
by different plants with regard to elongation
in the dark is probably owing to diverse
degrees of turgescence of the cells, and the
relative tension of the tissues. Etiolated leaves
differ anatomically from green leaves of the
same size not only in the absence of chlorophyll
and starch — except in the cells of the stomates,
which always contain abundance of starch-
but also in the slight thickening of the walls
of the vascular tissue, and especially in the
non-development of spongy parenchyma."

THE ABEC AND EARLY PURPLE
PEACHES.

pHEN planting fruit-trees of any kind,
it is of the greatest importance to
have the varieties true to name ; but
it sometimes happens that we may get varieties
the very opposite of what have been ordered, or
desired — early kinds turning out to be late, and
vice versd. This is a state of things one must
make the best of when the mischief is done. But
it sometimes happens that one is advised to
plant new fruits, not proved, and also to give
others a trial which have proved to be all that
can be desired elsewhere* I have more than

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182

THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.

[ DECEMBER,

once yielded to suggestions like these, but never
with more satisfaction than when advised to
plant the Abec and Early Purple Peaches. They
have been spoken of favourably duiing the past
summer, and after a two seasons' trial, I can bear
witness that on both occasions the fruiting has
been equal to all that I had read and heard of
them. One may, therefore, be excused for giving
praise where it is so well due. Two years ago last
August, these kinds were planted, along with
others, from pots. After passing the summer
under rather rough treatment, the glass struc-
tures not being ready lo receive them, they
were carefully turned out, and the roots
which had coiled round the sides of the
pots were carefully undone. Little growth
was made by the wood after August, but
the roots laid hold of the soil, which had
been rammed as firmly as if it had been for a
floor, and spread several feet under the surface.
The wood ripened like whalebone, and after
the buds were thinned, all that were left set
the following spring, so that the house was
half-cropped within the year, all being cleared
by the middle of August.

The wood had grown rather strong, which
necessitated lifting, to check growth. This was
done about the end of August with about two-
thirds of the roots ; no foliage dropped, but
remained on the tree till October. The wood
being nearly red and the buds plump, the trees
were pruned. The past season has been one of
the best in my experience, for crop and quality —
the former left heavy, to equalise growth, and
the latter being aided no doubt by the month
of powerful sun and dry air experienced during
part of June and July, which acted so favour-
ably on the ripening process. Abec was the
first to supply ripe fruit, and in the course of
a week or so Early Purple (large, with purple
skin next the sun, and shaded with bright
crimson towards the tree) came in as a capital
succession ; Bellegarde and Royal George —
two of the best second earlies — coming in to
succeed the former at the right moment. A
small tree of Princess of Wales supplied a few
dozens of large fruit, till the succession-house
gave supplies at the end of July. There may be
earlier kinds than Abec and Early Purple^ but
I have seen none more useful. — M. T.

MACKOZAilfA MaCKEXZII.

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MACROZAMIA MACKENZU. — MARKET PLANTS — IX.

183

MACROZAMIA MACKENZU.

|>HIS is a very oroamental plant, as the
accompanying figure sufficiently indi-
cates. It is one of the handsome new
Gycads which have been met with in the recent
explorations of the Australian continent, haying
been discovered in Queensland, whence Mr.
Bull has successfully imported it. It has a
low bulbiform or ovate trunk, from whence a
One head of leaves is put forth. These leaves
are oblong-ovate in outline, and of a dark green
colour, and are made up of numerous narrow
tapering segments of from 9 to 10 in. in length.
These leaves assume a gracefully arching form,
and form together a very elegant crown to the
trunk. The rachis is strongly developed at
the back of the leaf, slightly so in front, the
segments being set on at about half an inch
apart along the central portion, the upper
ones being more closely and the lower ones
more distantly placed.

As an evergreen greenhouse plant of long-
enduring character, this and several kindred
Oycada are invaluable for the continuous de-
coration of cool conservatories ; and being of
easy cultui'e, it is somewhat surprising that they
are not more commonly thus employed. They
are indeed somewhat slow in development, and
therefore a well-established specimen should in
the first instance be secured, but when they are
once obtained, they may be looked upon as
objects of perennial beauty.— T. Moobe.

MARKET PLANTS.— IX.

Stokesia cyanea and Berried Solanums.
(^T is but few market growers who take
€^!fy Stokesia GTANEA in hand. At Edmonton,
^^^ Messrs. J. and J. Hayes grow it some-
what largely, not to market in pots, but in the
form of cut flowers, and find it to be a very
remunerative article. This fine South-Oaro-
Hnian perennial has become lost to many
gardens, and it was with pecuHar satisfaction
I marked a large patch of it at Edmonton,
grown for the purpose named above. It is a
stout free-growing plant, but except in the
most favourable positions does not expand its
fiowers in the open air, in consequence of the
late period of the year when they are put
forth. This late-flowering property makes it
useful for market work, as the plants are grown
in the open ground all the summer till August ;
they are then lifted and potted in 48 and 24-

sized pots, according to their size, and then put
into a cold house, to open their flowers. A
sufficient number of plants are grown to admit
of a supply of flowers being had from Sep-
tember till Christmas. In the market they
find a ready sale, being blue in colour, showy
in appearance, and something like those of a
China Aster.

Increase of the Stokesia is made by dividing
the plants in spring, breakmg up the strongest
into four or five pieces, the smaller plants into
less, and planting them out in some good light
soil for the summer, to grow into size. Some-
times the plants are kept all through the sum-
mer in the pots in which they bloomed, but
they are best divided, and planted out as above
described.

Bebbied Solanums are grown for market to
an extent that would be surprising did not
their great value as decorative plants in winter
indicate something of the many uses to which
they can be put. There are many growers
who send Solsuiums to market, and the num-^
ber they grow depends on the accommodation
they can afford the plants, and the connection
they have in the way of buyers. Messrs. J*
and J. Hayes grow annually from 10,000 to
12,000 plants, and it is an interesting sight
to see these about the end of July. In one
large airy house-— one of those houses that are
constructed solely for the growth of plants, and
not for the mere purpose of showing them off
'—on the broad centre stage and on the side
stages, some 3,000 to 4,000 plants were
arranged, a large number in t5-in. and a goodly
quantity in 6-in. pots. The plants were in
flower, and were kept here till they had set
their berries, when they were all stood out in
the open-air to colour ; and the earliest to do
this are sent to market as soon as they are
ready. A remarkable feature about these
plants was the even growth of this large num-
ber, congregated in one house ; they averaged
nine inches in height, were of a bushy form, and
developing into finely furnished plants. The
growers of Solanums select their seed-plants
with great care, preferring those with a nice,
even, short-jointed growth, a little spreading
towards the outside, so as to display the berries
to the best advantage. All types with the
berries hidden among the leaves, or with small
berries, are set aside, as not worthy of being
grown. By acting in the way, a capital strain
is secured, and it must be admitted that the
market growers are most zealous in getting the
very finest strains of everything they grow.
Quality has its value fully appraised in the
market.

The great bulk of the plants are raised from
cuttings. It is best in practice to obtain stock
in this way. Old plants put into warmth in
January put forth an abimdance of shoots, and

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THE FL0BI3T AND POMOLOGIST.

[Deckmbku,

these are made into cuttiogs in February and
Marcli, a number being put into pots, and
placed in bottom-heat, when they soon root.
They are then potted on, shifting as required,
and being gradually hardened off. It will be
observed that the market growers keep their
plants under glass until the berries are set.
This differs from the practice of some growers,
who put their plants out in the open ground
early in the season. The market growers will
be good judges of practice, and the system they
adopt is one well worthy of being generally
followed. — ^B. Dean, Ealing^ W,

THE MODEL GARDENER.

)HE Model Gardener is, in general, a
respectable married man, and if he
has to advertise for a situation, he is
not ashamed of stating how many olive-
branches — " incumbrances " they are some-
times called — he cultivates. He has a
thoroughly practical knowledge of his pro-
fession in all its branches, but does not in-
clude looking after a horse and chaise^ or
milking cows, in this category. He has a
horror of single-handed places, or even of those
where only a man or two are allowed as helps.
He never wears a blue apron, except when
potting pines, or when one is necessary. He is
never " frozen out," for his fertile mind always
plans out plenty of work in-doors. He has a
great antipathy to weeds, and to see groundsel
and chickweed growing and running to seed is
his especial dislike. Blackbirds and thrushes,
amongst the feathered tribes, he keeps within
bounds, believing that he pays too dearly for
their whistling in the spring, when they devour
his finest cherries, currants, and gooseberries
in the summer. He never reads the hashed
and rehashed articles in the gardening papers,
written by beardless laddies^ on vine and
peach-growing, and on making soils and borders
for these fruits. If he looks for informa-
tion on these matters, he consults the opinions
of experienced men, eminent for their
successful cultivation of these fruits. He
never parts with the produce of his garden
without his employer's consent, not oven to eke
out a scanty salary. If he gets the great boon
from his employer of a week or two's holiday
to London, to see some of the great flower and
fruit shows, he makes the most of his time, in
visiting the parks and gardens, and in making
notes of the bedding plants and their most

artistic combinations. He is studiously neat
and clean in his personal appearance, and a
sworn enemy to any excess, publicly or
privately, in intoxicating drinks. He tries to
give his children as good an education as his
means will warrant ; and if they are sons, he is
anxious for them to acquire a little Latin, to
make them adepts in botanical nomenclature.
He rarely mixes with the other upper servants
in the establishment, for he has a well-grounded
idea that his intellectual attainments are
superior to theirs, and that their conversation is
mostly on sporting affairs, or on other frivolous
matters, which he does not, nor wishes, to under-
stand. He is an early riser, and every day, by
observation or experiment, adds some useful
fact to his stock of knowledge. — ^William

TiLLEBY.

[These somewhat quaint utterances of our
friend, Mr. Tillery, are meant to be suggestive to
the younger members of the fraternity, who if
they follow in the track above indicated with
any reasonable amount of intelligence and
assiduity, will generally find that it leads on to
an honourable and respected position. — ^Ed.]

THE PANSY AND THE PINK.

cygF two modest, sweet, and pretty flowers
^ ro are wanted, I would recommend the above
^^ old-fashioned and hardy subjects. They
are easily cultivated^ succeed in almost any
garden soil, and are also adapted for any style
of garden. These two flowers I was passionately
fond of when a boy, and although almost every
class of florists' flowers has claimed my atten-
tion since then, the old love for these is still
strong.

We had a bed of seedling Pansies at Loxford
Hall last year 60 ft. long, which was much
admired by visitors. The seeds were saved from
good varieties, and the mass of floweis was
charming in its infinite variety ; no two of the
many hundreds of plants had flowers exactly
alike. The bed of Pinks ran parallel to this,
and was of the same length. At the time when
the plants were in flower the bed was indeed
beautiful, but it had the fault of not lasting
long in flower. The beds of Pinks are at their
best about the 20th of June, and flowers can
be cut any day during a period of six weeks.
Many persons may say — Why write about such
easily grown plants as these ? I reply that

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1S78. ]

THE GOLDEN RATHBIPE PEACH.

l^i5

though easily grown, their culture is not gener-
ally understood ; and certainly the results of the
efforts made to grow them which one sometimes
witnesses are not entirely satisfactory.

Let us take the Pansy first, and explain in a
few simple remarks the method to be followed to
obtain the best results. Propagate by slipping
off the slender growths that are to be found
at the base of the plant in October, or even
in November ; these will be the best adapted
for spring flowering. The slips will have small
hair-like roots attached to them, and they
will soon become established. If the plants
can be wintered in a cold frame, so much the
better ; if not, they must be planted out as soon
as they are established. la order to obtain a
continuous and good bloom, the soil must be
amply trenched, and if it is light, with a dry
subsoil, plenty of rich cow-manure must be
worked-in during the operation of trenching.
A heavy wet soil is improved by mixing leaf-
soil or road-scrapings with it, and using stable-
manure, as being the driest and lightest. The
plants should be put out about one foot apart,
and as growth is made, the shoots should be
pegged down to the surface of the ground.

The Pansy is well adapted for pot culture,
since its sweet-scented flowers can be obtained
by the aid of a cold frame placed in a sunny
comer in February and March ; but to obtain
early flowers, it is desirable to propagate the
plants in August or early in September. Pot

them two plants in a largo 60-sized pot, and
when the soil has become quite permeated with
roots, repot into their blooming-pots. Six-
inch pots are best to flower them in, and
the soil shoald be four parts rich loam,
one part leaf-mould, and one part rotten
manure, — cow or stable dung, as the loam
may be light or heavy ; river-sand, too, should
be added, if the compost is not open enough.
The plants should be placed on a stage, quite
close to the glass. It will be necessary to look
to them at night, as slugs are very partial to
the leaves and flower-buds, and they will be
found feeding at that time, and must be de-
stroyed. Green-fly may be killed by fumigating
the frames with tobacco-smoke, or dusting the
plants with powdered tobacco.

The Pink requires similar attention to the
Pansy, in order to produce masses of its flowers
from young plants. As with the Pansy, young
plants have to be propagated annually, but the
slips, or pipings, as they are called, have to be
put in earlier ; late in June or early in July is
the best time. In my youthful days, in Scot-
land, I used to plant the pipings on the shady
side of a hedge or gooseberry-bush, and they
rooted freely in that position, without any glass
protection ; but in the warm, dry climate of the
South of England they require a glass frame to
root in, with a little bottom-heat. The plants
should be put out in the open ground early in
October, the soil being prepared for them as for
Pansies. — ^J. Douglas, Loxford Hall^ Ilford,

THE GOLDEN BATHRIPE PEACH.

[Platb 481.]

!)HOSE careful gardeners and skilful men
of business, the Dutch) laid the found-
ation of a very pleasant and proflt-
able commerce, when they introduced the
cultivation of the peach in theit knickerbodker
colony of New Amsterdam, little thinking,
perhaps, of the enormous extent of territory
over which Peach orchards were ultimately
destined to stretch; Almost abandoned in the
States originally planted. Peach culture in
the Southern States has risen to national im-
portance. Steamers and railway cars are
freighted solely with Peaches, when the harvest
is at its height. As tlie simplest and cheapest
method of planting is by sowing seedlings,
many orchards have been raised by economists
from seed alone, and the consequence has been

that innumerable seminal varieties are extant
in the States. In the race for a good price,
early-ripening varieties are eagerly sought for.
Since the discovery of the Early Beatrice Peach,
which was largely popular, from its excessive
precocity, many early sorts have been
" edited ** and put into circulation, but it still
remains to be proved whether these varieties
have beaten the prototype.

Among the Orchard sorts of America, the
large yellow-fleshed peaches have been dis-
tinguished by more favour than they have
ever had in England ; and the Golden Bath-
EiPE, of which a figure is given, is one of the
best of the early yellow-fleshed sorts. It is
very large, very juicy, and possesses a distinct
flavour. When well grown and well ripened,

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186

THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOOIST.

[ Dkceuber,

there is Bomeihing very remarkable in the rich
apricot-like flesh, although deficient in the
peculiar and delicate aroma of the pale-fleshcd
sorts. On the dessert-table the golden brown
and brilliant yellow hue of the skin form an
agreeable and handsome contrast. Although
not of high rank enough to devote a trellis to
its cultivation, it is quite worth a place among
the pot-trees of an orchard-house. The Craw-
ford's Early Peach is hardly to be distingubhed
from the Golden Bathripe. In appearance and
period of ripening the two are twin Dromios,
but the Golden Bathripe is perceptibly superior
in flavour. The American orchardists have
adopted the name Rareripe to indicate early
ripening, preserving in " rare *' the old English
word " rathe."

" Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies."

— Lycidas.

— ^T. F. RiVEBs, Sawhridgeworth.

[We are indebted to Mr. Rivers for the

materials whence our plate is derived. — ^Ed.]

VILLA GARDENING FOR
DECEMBER.

E may be said to have subsided into
the dullness and rest of winter : —

" Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,
And all the earth lies decui and drear."

But the vdnter never brings entire respite from
work for the gardener ; even when ice-bound
and snow-bound, there is always some genial
work to do, and some necessary lesson to learn.
Stove and Wabm Greenhouse. — It is sur-
prising how gay some foliaged plants are at
this season of the year, and especially Orotons
and Dracaenas. Quite young plants of the
former take on a superb colouring at this
period, and their richly-marked leaf -tints are
all the more acceptable, because flowers are
somewhat scarce even in heated structures.
These, if placed among green-leaved plants,
have a charming efifect. The pretty red
Sonei'tla margaritacea is a sweet plant for
flowering in a stove during December and
January, and there are two' or three varieties
of it, with well-marked leaves, that are useful
also. Calanthes and the chaste Odontoglossum •
AlexandrcB will bloom well now; the latter
will bear cool treatment. Salvia splendcm^
Euphorbia jacquiniaflara^ Eranthemum pid-
chellum^ Plumbago rosea^ Eucharis amazonica^
and others will be in flower; and Azaleas^
RostSy Cinerarias^ and other winter-flowering
plants that have been properly prepared will be

coming on to succeed them. There is now a
large choice of winter-flowering plants, and the
villa gardener, with limited accommodation,
can make a selection to suit him. In an inter-
mediate honsQy II eathsy Chinese Primroses^herry-
bearing Solanums^ Zonal Pelargoniums^ &c.,
can be made very pretty. The following rules
have been laid down for amateur gardeners to
observe in their stoves during the dullest month
of the year : — " Examine the plants thoroughly,
and spare no pains to have them thoroughly
clean and free from insects. By judicious alter-
nation of flowering and foliaged plants, the
house can be made nice and gay. Pick off any
decaying flowers and leaves. Tie and train
plants. Keep the house dry and dean. Water
thoroughly when wanted, and always in the
forenoon. In mild weather give flre-heat
sparingly ; the night temperature should not be
allowed to fall below GOV

Gold Gbeenhouse. — Chrysanthemuvis in pots
are now yielding excellent service, and being
late on the whole, they are coming in well to
succeed the out-door flowers so mercifully pre-
served to us beyond their usual time. For a
cold house, it is usual to disbud Chrysanthe-
mums freely, when the leading buds get well
into flower ; the side-buds rarely expand. The
cold nights and short dull days are having
their effect on AbutilonSy Pelargoniums^ &c.,
and they are gradually ceasing to flower. Now
comes into play the berried Solanums, with
their bright coral-red fruits, invaluable to the
villa gardener for their pretty effect, and their
usefulness for placing on the table. These
Solanums will hold on till the end of January,
and then some of the earlier Bulbs^ Primroses^
&c., will be coming in to take their place. Mice
will sometimes play sad havoc with Solanum-
berries, and their attacks should be guarded
against.

The beauty and usefulness of Chrysantliemwns
can be prolonged by giving the pots a slight
dressing of some patent manure ; a guano will
answer the purpose. A little should be spread
over the surface, and washed down to the roots
when water is applied. Plants should now bo
watered very carefully, doing it in the forenoon
when the sun is out, to dry up the shelves and
stands quickly. Give air in flne genial weather,
but do not allow cold currents of air to pass
into the house. Flowering plants should have
the warmest and sunniest place. Keep the
house as clean and tidy as possible, so that
chances of harm from damp may be minimised.

Flower Gabden. — Slowly but surely the
bloom and beauty of the flower garden is re-
ceding before the approach and attacks of
frost and damp. What is to be done with
the beds that have been wholly filled with
tender plants ? If there is nothing to put in
their place, the best thing to do is to dig

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GARDEN GOSSIP.

187

them and lay them up rough for the winter.
If they can be filled with Daisies^ Wallflowers^
Silene, Pansies^ Violas^ and such spring-flower-
ing things, they will give the beds a furnished
appearance, and be pretty in spring. Or the
beds can be filled with dwarf evergreen and
variegated shrubs. Anything, almost, is better
than bare beds ; but if they are to be bare, let
them be kept as neat as possible. All the
leaves possible should be coUectel and put
aside to decay and form leaf-mould. It will
come in very handy for potting purposes, or
for top-dressing plants in beds. As soon as
the leaves are down, the flower-garden should
be made tidy in all its parts, and any alter-
ations required be carried out.

Kitchen Gabden. — Some Seakale and Aspa-
ragus might now be forced. The best practice
is to make up beds under a frame, and towards
the end of the month the roots can be taken
up, a few inches of soil put on the bed, the
roots being placed on it, and the spaces between
them filled in with soil. Rhubarb may be
similarly treated. A little Mustard and Cress^
sown in pans or shallow boxes, can be raised in
the frame, which should be covered on cold
frosty nights.

Fbuit Gabden. — Fi-uit Trees should be
planted without delay. Pruning may be done
at any time, when the weather is suitable.
Standard Apple and Pear trees should be kept
well open in the centre, taking out strong up-
right leaders and branches that cross each other.
In cases where the bark is open, it is well to
give a good dressing of some suitable material
to destroy the larvse of insects. The leading
shoots of pyramid trees may be shortened back,
to impart vigour to the buds. Many little
things will suggest themselves to be done in
winter. A general cleanliness is of the highest
importance. Sububbanus.

GARDEN GOSSIP.

3M0NGST the Ambbican Poplabs, Pro-
fessor Sargent recommends strongly as
worth a trial for planting streets or
avenues the following :—Poi7U?M8 Fremoiitii, of
Western Nevada, and P. tnchorarpa^ of the same
region and California. The former he describes as
by far the handsomest Poplar he has ever seen. It
IB very much planted as a street tree in Loeson city
and other towns in that part of Nevada. In Salt
Lake City the Mormons generally plant P. angmti-
folioj which is also a good street tree, but less orna-
mental, Professor Sargent thinks, than either of the
others. P. trxcn>ipidata is the common Poplar of
the Yosemite valley, where it makes a very hand-
some tree. All these Poplars, ho adds, grow so very
fast, that more might be done with them than
people seem to think.

— 21 VEBY good meetmg of the Royal
HoBTicuLTUBAL SociETV was that of November
19, the principal features being Chrysanthe-

mums, Hardy Shrubs, Dracaenas, Orchids, Vege-
tables, Pine-apples, and some splendid Apples from
Leonardslee. Mr. A. Waterer had a First-class
Certificate for Ilex Aquifoliam scotica aurea^ a
brilliant golden-edged form of the hardy variety
called scotica; and also showed two very pretty
Hemlock Spruces, Abies canadeiisU peitduloj and
Abies canadensis variegatat which were not certi-
ficated, the former of a distinctly pendulous habit,
and the latter rather dull-looking at this season, but
in early summer having all the tips of the branches
pure white, looking at a short distance as if hung
over with little white bells. Calanthe Sedeni, from
Messrs. Yeitch and Son, had a First-class oertifi-
ficate ; the vestita-like flowers are of a superb rose-
colour. The same award was made to Odontoglossum
Alexandra Perriniit from J. Perrin, Esq., of Malvern,
a very handsome form, in which the sepals and petals
were bordered with deep rosy- purple ; and to Chrys-
anthemum M, CroussSf shown by Messrs. Jackson and
Son, a Japanese variety, the florets of which are of a
Spanish-red in the upper half, and cream-coloured
towards the base, being distinct and novel in
character.

— She Zephibin Gbeqoibe Peab is, writes
Mr. Saul, of Stourton Park, " a great acquisi-
tion to our list of late Pears ; it is a fine, rich,

juicy, melting pear, and is in use in December and
January. The tree grows freely on the pear-stock,
and makes a beautiful pyramid. It is quite hardy,
and generally bears well." (See figure in Florist
and Pomologist, 1863, t. 222.)

— 31t the meeting of the Committee of the

National Eose Society, on October 22, the

Bev. Canon Hole in the chair, the dates for the

exhibitions for 1879 were fixed, subject to the
approval of the annual meeting, — the first show to
be held at the Crystal Palace on June 28, the second
at Manchester on July 14. The accounts showed a
balance in favour of the society.

— ^B. Habbison Weib states in the

Gardeners* Chronicle that the flower-buds of the

Begonia fuchsioides, besides being valuable

from a decorative point of view, may also be made use-
f nl in the culinary art. It seems that the unexpanded
blossoms have "a delightfully acid flavour," and
that when cut up small and sprinkled over a salad,
both the appearance and the '* tone** of the tooth-
some relish is greatly improved. We (Qardenern*
Chronicle) were not previously aware of the
flowers being used for such a purpose, but record
the circumstance on the authority of Mr. Harrison
Weir.

— "STalks about Plants" (Griffin and
Farran) is the title of a little book, written by
Mrs. Lankester, and designed to excite interest
in the rising generation concerning the wild flowers
they may meet with in their country rambles. It
is written in the conversational style, and is well
adapted for its special object, which is not exactly
that of teaching botany, but of creating an interest
in the study of botany, and so leading on to a desire
for more ample knowledge. It is divided into
twelve chapters, one being devoted to a "talk"
about a few of the more prominent wild flowers of
each month, in the course of which a good deal of
interesting, popular, and botanical information is
conveyed. There are six coloured groups of flowers,
not over well done, and several woodcut illustrations.

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188

THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GI8T.

[ December. 1878.

The tone of the book is excellent, and the informa*
tion given is qaite calcalated to excite and hold the
interest of the jonthfol student.

— JThe name of Conophallus Titanum
has been proposed for a gigantic Snmatran Arad,
which must rank amongst the most extraordi-
nary of plants yet discovered. It was found by
Dr. Beccari, an Italian botanist, and seeds sent over
to Florence have already germinated. The tuber is
nearly 5 ft. in circumference. From this tuber one
leaf is produced, the stalk being 36 in. in girth at
the base, and 10 ft. in height ; its surface smooth,
green, with numerous small nearly orbicular white
dots. The three branches into which it is divided
at the top are each as large as a man's thigh, and
are several times divided, the whole leaf covering
an area of 45 ft. in circumference. The spadix of
a plant found in fruit had the fruit-bearing portion
cylindrical, 20 in. long, and densely covered with
olive-shaped fruits of a bright red colour.

— ^EAT little specimens of Stephanotis
FLOBIBUNDA, in Small pots, loaded with blossoms,
are offered for sale, during the spring, in Coven t
Garden Market. They are grown in 6-in. pots, and
trained round a few stakes. Plants of this descrip-
tion are exposed during summer and autumn to
plenty of air and sunshine, in order that the wood
may g^t thoroughly ripened. They are shortened
back and brought gently on in spring, and nearly
every break produces a flowering shoot.

— ®HB New Arctic Saxifrage, Saxifbaga
FLAOELLARis, a native of Arctic America, has
been bloombg lately at the York Nurseries,
and is a distinct and highly interesting addition to
our alpine rarities. It forms dense rosettes of
obovate glaucous leaves of thick texture, beautifully
ciliated with spiny teeth, or strong viscid glandular
hairs, the whole surface looking "frosted" to a
larger or smaller extent. The flowers are solitary
at< present, though from one to five flowers are
borne on the stalk, rather larg^, bright yellow,
spotted at the base of the petals with orange, in the
style of S. Hirculus. From the axils of the leaves
slender stolons, 1\ in. to 2^ in. long, are emitted in
all directions, which root again at the extremities,
and produce fresh rosettes.

— JHr. Gbib^t:, of Culford, has found that
ToBENiA FouBNiEBi, referred to by him in our
volume for 1877, forms an exceedingly beauti-
ful bedding plant. Some examples of it put out-of-
doors at Calford in the early part of last June,
though for a time checked by very dry weather,
grew vigorously on a change taking place, and were
in full bloom the first week in September. They
are, he ^ays, very beautiful, dwarfer and more
robust in habit than others growing in the plant
stove. This Torenia may be propagated by means
of cuttings, but they are are apt to damp off in
winter, and plants raised from seed are to be pre-
ferred.

— QThb Labge - flowebed Sehidouble

Pelabqoniums, so called, are of much value

for flowering early in the spring. To
have them in bloom thus soon, however, propaga-
tion must take place early in the year previous.
They must have plenty of time to acquire
strength for the wood to become firm, and
for the roots to well fill the pots before the winter.
The cuttings should be struck about the time they

are coming into bloom, when the tops of the young
shoots, if moderately firm, will strike freely in a
brisk bottom-heat. They should get their last shift
into 6-in. pots about the first week in August, and
the last stopping not later thnn the third week in
that month. The most desirable varieties are —
Album plenaitif white ; Beauty of Oxton, maroon and
crimson, with white margin ; Captain Raikes, crim-
son marked with black; Elegantissimumt vermilion,
with white crisped margin; Queen Victoria, ver-
milion and white ; and Ville de Caen, dark crimson,
with maroon markings.

— En reference to the hardiness of Clematis
iNDivisA, Mr. A. 0. Walker, Nanty Glyn, Col-
wyn Bay, Conway, states that notwithstanding
snow-storms and cold winds. Clematis indivisa
has been in full bloom on the side of his house
facing S.E. and unprotected; it had hundreds of
fiowers expanded, and was a most beautif al object.

— 5n a paper on the Flowebino of

AoAVB Shawii, Dr. Engelmann records the

rate of growth during the day and night in the
fiower-stalk of this species. The growth from
7 p.m. to 7 a.m. was uniformly larger than that from
7 a.m. till 7 p.m. The total growth for a period of
sixty days was 46} inches, of whioh 27i inches took
place in the night, and 19| inches in the day, the
greatest advance being made about the middle of
the period. Temperature appeared to have but
little inflaence on the rate of growth.

— SThe most remarkable Spanish Chest-
nut TBEE known in England, and perhaps the

oldest, if not one of those originally introduced
by the Romans, is, according to the Journal of
Foreiitnj, the gigantic tree at Tortworth Court, the
scat of Earl Ducie, in Gloucestershire. It grows on
the north-west slope of a hill, on a rich, loamy clay,
and is said to have been called the " great tree of
Tortworth" or "great chestnut" in the reign of
King Stephen. In 1820 Strutt gives it a circum-
ference of 62 feet at five feet from the ground, and
the contents he puts at 1,965 cubic feet. Later
measurements make it about 46 feet in circumfer-
ence at the top of the swell of the roots.

— ^Rr. James McNab, Curator of the

Boyal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, died on

November 19, in his 68th year. He was bom
in 1810 at Richmond, Surrey, and in his younger
days visited Canada and the United States. Sub-
sequently he had the management of the then
adjacent, now annexed, gardens of the Royal Cale-
donian Horticultural Society, and on the death of
his father, in 1848, was appointed to the care of
the Royal Botam'o Garden, in which, in fact, the
greater part of his life was passed, successively
as apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and finally
curator. The high -position which the garden has
attained under his management bears evidence to
the zealous and skilful manner in which his duties
have been dischargfed; while, in reference to his
personal qualities, those who have known him per-
sonally will deeply mourn the loss of a true-heairted
friend. Mr. McNab was one of the founders of the
Edinburgh Botanical Society, of which, in 1872, he
was President. A sketch of his career, accom-
panied by a portrait, will be found in the Qardenera^
Chronicle for 1871, the portrait being repeated with
the obituary notice published in that journal on tho
23rd ult.

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LIST OF COLOURED FIGURES.

Plate.
462.
4^7.
459.
476.
472.
466.

480.

465.
475.

479.

464.

460.

»f
473.
474.
470.
458.
469.
461.
477.

4m.

it
461.

471.
»»

478.
463.

Apple Jolly Beggar

Apple, Stone's

Apeicot Angoumoib IIatip

Auricula Frank Simonite

Azalea indica Duke of Edinburgh

Candytuft, new dwarf robe-coloured

Candytuft, new dwarf white

Carnation James Douglas

Carnation Bev. F. D. Horner

Carnation Samuel Barlow

Cherry Bigarreau Napoleon

Cineraria (double-flowered) Pink Perfection
Cineraria (double-flowered) Queen of Violets .

CiNBRARLA (doUBLE-FLOWERED) ThE PrINCR...

Damson, American

Damson, English

Damson, Shropshire

Epacris Butterfly

Epacris densiflora

Epacris devonienbis

Epacris ono8m.£flora fl. pl. nivalis

Epacris Sunset

ESCUSCHOLTZIA CROCEA FLORE-PLENO

EsCHSCHOLTZIA CROCEA MANDARIN

Fig Col di Signora Bianca

ixora splkndens

Lily Mrs. Anthony Waterer

Peach A Bec

Peach Frogmore Golden

Peach Golden Bathripr

Pear, The Peach

Pelargonium (zonal) Dr. Denny

Pelargonium (zonal) Lady Eva Campbell...

PicoTEE Alice

PicoTEE Miss Horner

PiCOTEB ZeRLINA

Plum Belgian Purple

Plum Diamond

Rose (H.P.) Charles Darwin

Spiraea palmata elegans

To fact page

145

113

177

137

169

169,

121

129

185

153

105

161

LIST OF WOODCUTS.

Adiantnm tetraphyllum gracile

189

Antharium ornatam

165

Anthurium Veitchii

100, 102

Anthnriam Warocqaeannm ...

101, 102

Apple, Ten-shiUing

... 170

Auricula pit, Mr. Booth's

Azalea Bollissoni

... 35

Bowenia spectabllis serrulata ...

107, 108

Croton nobilis syn, CodioBum nobile .

... 133

Cjpripedium selligerum

... 85

DiefFenbachia Shuttleworthii ...

... 67

Diosoorea retusa

... 123

Dracsena roseo-picta

Fumigator, Tebbs* Univergal ...

... 16

Hasmanthus cinnabarinus

... 155

Hosmanthus Mannii

... 119

Hot-water boiler, Heaps A Wheatley^s

portable

paraffin ...

... 180

Ixora Duffii

. .,. 76

Macrozamia Mackenzii

Masdevallia Chimsora

Masdevallia Davisii ...

Masdevallia ioDocharis

Melon, Carter's Cream 'Pino ...

Melon, Sutton's Whiteknights Favourite
Microlepia birta cristata

Nephrolepis Duffii

Pear Auguste Jurie

Peas, Wilkinson's Trainer for ..♦

Pentstemon Clcvolandi . . .

PhyllanthuB roseo- pictns

Preston, plan of Boyal Horticultural Society*!

Tent at

Sadleria ojatheoides

Selaginella Victoria)

Tree- feller, Ransome's Steam

Violets, Italian

Wood wardia radicans cristata

182
50
52
51
23
23
59

171

153
47

149
13

126
3
91
37
69
21

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INDEX.

Abies canadennis pendoIO) 187; A. canadensis

varieg^ia, 187.
A(;er Pseado-Plaianns, timber of, 48.
Adiantum cyclosorum, 110; A. Lawsoniannm, 95;

A. neoguineense, 95 ; A. tetraphyllum gracile, 80,

(woodcut) 138.
Agave Shawii, flowering of, 188; A.VictoriaB Beginro,

111.
Album Benarj, 15.

Amaryllids, prizes for, 80; how to flower, 144.
Amaryllis Crimson Banner, 80 ; A. E. Pilgrim, 80.
Anemidictyon Phyllitidis tesselata, 95.
Anemone japonica and its varieties, 179.
Anguloa Clowesii at Manchester show. 111.
Anthurium ornatnm, (woodcut) 164 ; A. regale, 75 ;

A. Scherzerianom album, 175; A. Yeitchii,

(woodcuts) 100; A. Warocqueanum, (woodcuts)

101.
Ants as a mild-winter pest, 84.
Aponogeton spathaccum, first flowering of, 112.
Apple, Jolly Beggar, (col. plate) 33 ; Stone's, 23,

(col. plate) 73 ; Ten-shilling, (woodcut) 170.
Apples, analysis of, 32.

Apple Crops, causes of present failure in, 113.
Apricot Angoumois H&tif, (col. plate) 9.
Asparagus, prizes for, 80, 111.
Aspidiotus Pandani, 80.
Asters, perennial, raising from seed, 160.
Athyrium Filix-Foemina Frizelliso, rediscovery of, 63.
Auricula, Descriptive notes of some leading green-
edged varieties, 41; A. Frank SImonite, (ool.

plate) 145.
Auricula (alpine) Silvia, 95, 96.
Autumnal-flowering Plants, 179.
Azalea (indica) Duke of Edinbui'gh, (col. plate) 118 ;

A. Kaiser Wilhelm, 95 ; Madame Eeckhaute, 98 ;

A. Eollissoni, (woodcut) 35.
Azaleas, Ghent, for market, 154 ; new dwarf Indian,

68.

Baltet s Art of Grafting and Budding, notice of,

111.
Bean, kidney, new, 24.
Begonia buds for salad, 187.
Begonias, new tuberous, at Versailles show, 176.
Begonias, new, 143, 160.
Belt, Thomas, death of, 176.
Berberis Darwinii, 81.
Bijvoet, Anthony Nicolas, death of, 160.
Blackberries, American, 87.
Bloxam, Rev. Andrew, death of, 64.
Bollea Patinii, 68.
Bomarea Carderi, 175.
Books, new, 15, 47, 63, 80, 96, 163, 175, 187.
Boscobel, notice of, 175.
Bowenia speotabilis serrulata, (woodcut) 107.
Box, golden Japanese, 175.
Broccoli, new, 5, 24.
Brown, James, death of, 160.

Cabbage, Barr*s Criterion, 80.

Cabbages, clubbing in, cause of, 131 ; new, 24.

Calanthe Sedeni, 187.

Calochortus, fix>m seed, 128.

Camassia Brownii, 95.

Camellia buds, why do they fall ? 29.

Candytufts, new dwarf, (col. plate) 65.

Carnation James Douglas, (col. plate) 177 ; Bev. F.

D. Homer, (ool. plate) 177 ; Samuel Barlow, (col.

plate) 177 ; Souvenir de Malmaison, 128 ; scarlet

tree, A. Alegati^re, 25.
Carnations, seedling, 127 ; two months of, 10, 19 ;

a bundle of criticisms, 156.
Cattleya Marstersonise, 175 ; . C. Mitchellii, 143 ; C.

Veitchiana, 143.
Cauliflowers, new, 24.
Chafers as garden pests, 84.

Cherries, early, 116.

Cherry Bigarreau Napoleon, (col. plate) 57.

Chrysanthemum Mrs. George Bundle, 31 ; early, for

bedding, 179 ; M. Crousse, 187.
Cineraria, Levesley's Dwarf Covent Garden, 111 ;

double- flowered, 96, (col. plate) 137 ; single and

double, 52.
Clay, burnt, for the amelioration of heavy soils, 175.
Clematis indi visa, hardiness of, 188; C. Otto Frcibel,

31 ; C. Pitcheri, 31 j C. Sieboldia, 32 ; C. Earl of

Beaconsfield, 111.
Clematises, Messrs. G. Jackman and Son's exhibition

of, at Crystal Palace, 96.
Club-moss as a table-plant, 40.
Coleus Georgo Bunyard, 95 ; 0. Kentish Fire, 95.
Conophallus Titanum, 188.

Cooper, Samuel, death of, 32 ; lines in memory of, 40.
Corydalis lutea, for bedding, 166.
Croton nobilis, (woodcut) 132 ; C. Williamsii, 143.
Cucumber, Walker's Hero, 31.
Cunningham, John, death of, 112.
Cuscuta reflexa, 16.
Cyclamens for market, 44 ; new, 63. '
Cyclobothra elegans, from seed, 128.
Cypripedium selligerum, (woodcut) 86.

Dacrydium FrankUnii, 16.

Dactylis glomerata aurca, 110.

Dahlia Cervantesii, 160 ; D. coocinea, 160 ; D. mexi-

cana^ 160 ; D. (variabilis) Paragon, 160.
Dahlias, new, 143, 160.
Damson, American, (col. plate) 169 ; English (col.

plate), 169; Shropshire, (col. plate) 169.
Daphne Blagayana, 144.
Davallia fijiensis, 80.
Dendrobinm superbiens, 63.
Dieffenbachia Shuttleworthii, (woodcut) 66.
Dioscorea retusa, (woodcut) 128.
Dobson, John, death of, 96.

Dracoona roseo-picta, (woodcut) 28 ; D. vivicans, 110.
Dracsonas, liability of, to Cucumber disease, 32;

as table plants, 118 ; for market, 60.
Dressing Flowers, 166.
Du Mortier, M. Barth^lemy, death of, 144.

Egqleton, W. J., death of, 32.

EUacombe's Plant-lore and Garden-craft of Shake-
speare, notice of, 80.

Epacris impressa Butterfly, (col. plate) 49; E. i.
densiflora, (col. plate) 49 ; E. i. devoniensis, (col.
plate) 49 ; E. i. Sunset, (col. plate) 49; E. onosmsc-
flora fl. pi. nivalis, (col. plate; 49.

Erica candidissima as a decorative plant, 128.

Erica obbata expolita, 110.

Eschscholtzia crocea flore-pleno, (col. plate) 17 ;
E. c. Mandarin, (col. plate) 17.

Eucalypsinthe, 64.

Eucharis amazonlca, growth of, 81.

Enlalia japonica zebrina, 160.

Exhibitions : — Ghent Quinquennial Horticultural,
30, 70; London International Horticultural for
1880, 112 ; Metropolitan Horticultural, 111.

Exhibition, Paris, Carter s display at, 96 ; Sutton's
display at, 80.

Exhibitions, Provincial horticultural. 111.

Exhibitions and meetings for 1878, 80.

Ferns at Lambton Castle, 144.

Ferns for Amateurs, Shaw's Illustrations of, 47.

Ferns for Market, 60.

Ficus exculpta, 160.

Fig Col di Signora Biauca, (col. plate) 121 ; Hardy

Prolific, 23.
Figs, outdoor cultmre of, 10J-.
Fish, gold, for aquatic plant-houses, 51.
Flax, New Zealand, for tying, 127 ; NeW Zealand,

hardiness of, 118.

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INDEX.

Fleming, James, death of, 144.

Florists' Flowers, Eev^. G. Jeans on the Philosophy

of, 53, 65, 81, 98, 114, 133, 150, 167, 178 ; synopsis

of essay, 179.
Flower- Garden, work in: January, 14; February,

28; March, 46; April, 62; May, 79; June, 94;

July, 110 ; August, 121 ; September, 142 ; Octo-

ber, 159; November, 174; December, 186.
Flower Gardens, notes on planting, 57.
Flowers, cut, how to keep fresh, 64 ; on dressing,

166.
Foulis, Robert, death of, 32.
Fountaine, Bey. John, death of, 32.
Frames, Cold, work in : January, 15 ; February, 28 ;

March, 46; April, 62; May, 79; Novettiber, 174;

December, 186.
Fries, Professor Elias, death of, 48.
Fruit Crop of 1878, 143.
Fruit-culture : site as affecting fertility, 68.
Fruit-Gardeu, work in: January, 15; February,

28; March, 47; April, 62 ; June, 95; July, 110;

August, 122; September, 142; October, 159;

November, 174 ; December, 187.
Fruit prospects, 45.
Fruit Season of 1878, 172.
Fruits, new, (woodcuts) 22.
Fruits, Wall, culture of : the Peach aud Nectarine,

3 ; the Apricot, 39, 86, 135, 177.
Fuchsia as a cool green-house climber, 38; for

market, 168.
Fumigator, Tebbs' Universal, (woodcut) 16.

Garden Gossip, 15, 30, 47, 63, 80, 95, 110, 125, 143,
160, 175, 187.

Gardener, the Model, 18i<.

(hardeners* Boyal Benevolent Institution, 35th anni-
versary festival of, 127.

Gardeners' Year-book and Almanack for 1878, 15.

Gladioli, new, 143.

Gleanings from Du Breuil, 129.

Gloxinias, storing tubers of, 128.

Godson, Septimus Holmes, death of, 32.

Grape, Alnwick Seedling, 22.

Grevillea robusta filicifolia, 80.

Gros Colman (Colmar), 16; Madrcsfield Court, to
prevent cracking of, 127.

Grapes, day fire-heat to ripen, 64 ; management of
shy-setting, 180 ; on back walls, 64.

Green-fly, mixture for destroying, 175.

Greenhouse, work in : January, 14 ; February, 27 ;
March, 45; April 61; May, 78; June, 94; July,
109; August, 121; September, 141; October,
158 ; November, 173 ; December, 186.

Haage, John Nicolas, death of, 160.

Hablitzia tamnoides, 127.

Haomanthus cinnabarinus, (woodcut) 155 ; H. Mannii,

(woodcut) 119; H. rupestris, 119.
Henfroy's Elementary Course of Botany, notice of,

96.
Hill, WilUam, death of, 96.
Holmes, George, death of, 64.
Holmes, William, death of, 128.
Hooper's Gardening Guide, notice of, 63, 95.
Horticultural Club, removal of, 30.
Hot- water Boiler, Heap's and Wheatley's portable,

(woodcut) 180.
Houses V. Cold Frames, (woodcut) 5.
Hyacinth King of the Blacks, 68 ; Grand Master,

63.
Hyacinths for market, 26; pot, for exhibition, 145.
Hyacinthus candicans, hardy, 32.

Iberis umbellata nana alba, (col. plate) 65; I. u.

n. roBoa^ (col. plate) 65.
Hex AquifoUum scotica aurea, 187.
Insect traps, bait for, 95.
Iris Kolpakowskiana, 48; I. Leichtlinii, 95.

Ixora Duffii, (woodcut) 76 ; I. splendens, (col. plate)

129.
Ixoras, culture of, 129.

Jelly, Siberian Crab, 176.

Keynes, John, death of, 48.

Kitchen Garden, work in : January, 16 ; February,
28; March, 46; April, 62; May, 79; June, 94;
July, 110; August, 122; September, 142; Octo-
ber, 159 ; November, 174 ; December, 187.

Lantanas as room plants. 111.

Lastrea aristata variegata, 80, 175; L. crinita, 175.

Lathyrus Drummondii, 110.

Laurustinus for market, 154.

Lawns, destruction of, 35.

Lettuce, Bossin Cabbage, 175.

Lettuces, how to use, 139.

Lilac, Persian, 143 ; for winter flowering, 105.

Lily, hybrid, Mrs. Anthony Waterer, (col. plate) 97.

Lily of the Nile, 176.

Loudon, John Claudius, portrait of, 47.

Luculia gratissima, 48.

Macrozamia oylindrica, 160 ; M. Mackenzii, (wood-

cut) 183.
Magnolia Campbelli, 176 ; M. Halleana, 63.
Margetts, Rev. B. H., death of, 112.
Market Plants, culture of, 26, 44, 60, 89, 108, 140,

154^ 168, 183.
Marl for shrubs and fruits, 158.
Masdevallia Chimaera, (woodcut) 50; M. Davisii,

(woodcut) 49 ; M. Harryana, 49 ; M. ionocharis,

(woodcut) 49; M. Lindeni, 49; M. Nycterina,

50; M. Veitohii, 49.
Masdevallias, notes on, 49.
May-bugs as garden pests, 8i.
McNab, James, death of, 188.
Meconopsis aculeata, flowering of, 112.
Melons, Cream Pine, 23 ; Whiteknights Favourite,

23.
Microlopia hirta cristata, (woodcut) 59.
Mignonette for market, 45 ; from cuttings, 112.
Moffatt, Thomas, death of, 32.
Murray, Andrew, death of, 32.
Musk, Harrison's new, for forcing, 176.

Narcissi for market, 26.
Nelumbium lutenm, 160.
Nephrolepis Duffii, (woodcut) 171.

Ophioolossum lusitanicum, found in Ireland, 160.
Oranges, home-grown, for dessert, 1.
Orchids, cork blocks condemned fbr, 63.

Paksies, how to grow and exhibit, 74 ; from seed,

184; pot-culture of, 185.
Paul's Rose Annual for 1877, 16.
Peach k Bee, (col. plate) 1, 88 ; k Bee and Early

Purple, 181 ; Frogmore Golden, (col. plate) 89 ;

Golden Rathripe, 185.
Peach-culture on the open wall, 17 ; pruning, 152.
Peaches and Nectarines, Rivers' new, 170.
Pear, Anguste Jurie, (woodcut) 153 ; Bergamotte

Esperen, 56; Peach, (col. plate) 153; Williams'

Victoria, 23 ; Zephirin Grtfgoire, 187.
Pears, on ripening, 147.
Pear-orops, causes of present failure in, 113.
Peas, new, 23 ; our garden, 71.
Pea-trainer, Wilkinson's, (woodcut) 47.
Pelargoniums : double-flowered, 81 ; early- flowering,

117; Pearson's seedlings from echinatum, 144;

large-flowered, for market, 140; large-flowered

semidouble, 188.
Pelargonium (new zonal) Dr. John Denny, (col.

plate) 81 ; Lady Eva Campbell, (col. plate) 81 ;

White Vesuvius, 48.
Pelargoniums, variegated zonal, for market, 108.
Pelargoniums, new ivy-leaved, 125.

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111.

INDEX.

Pelargoniam Wonderful, Knight's sport of, 95.

Pentstemon Clevclandi, (woodcnt) 148.

Pemettya mncronata lilacina, 175.

Petunias for decoration, 73.

Phala)nop8iB £smara1da, 175 ; P. violacoa, 175.

Phormium tenax, 118.

PhjUanthns roseo-pictug, (woodcut) 13.

Picotee Alice, (col. plate) 25 ; Miss Homer, (col.

plate) 25 ; Zerlina, (col. plate) 25.
Picotees, two months of, 10, 19.
Pine, Huon, 16.

Pine-apple Lord Carington, 23.
Ping^ioula yallisnerieefolia, 14^i.
Pinks for garden beds, 185; seedling, 127; their

treatment, 5.
Plant-growth in darkness, 181.
Platycerium Hillii, 110.
Plum Belgian Purple, (col.plate) 105 ; P. Diamond,

(col. plate) 105.
Poinsettia pulcherrima, 35 ; P. p. plenissima, 35; P.

puloherrima for market, 89 ; single and double, 33.
Polyanthuses, gold-laced, 8 ; reminiscences of, 55.
Pomona, the Herefordshire, notice of, 163.
Poplars, new American, for avenues, 187.
Potatos, new, 23.
Primula sinensis fimbriata coccinea, 48 ; advances

among, 24.
Prize, the Neill award of, 160.
Ptychosperma rupicola, 95.
Pyrus arbntifolia, 32.

QuERCUS austriaca sempervirens, 64.

Kaspberries, American, 87.

Raspberry.culture, 120.

Rhipidopteris peltata gracillima, 95.

Richardia sethiopica, 176.

Robinson's Hardy Flowers, notice of, 63.

Rosarian's Year-book for 1877, 16.

Rose (h.p.) Charles Darwin col. plate), 161 ; (h.p.)
Harrison Weir, 143 ; (n.p.) Countess of Rosebery,
110; (h.p.) Duchess of Bedford, 125; (h.p.) Pene-
lope Mayo, 125 ; (h.p.) Dr. SeweU, 125, 143.

Rose hedges, 153.

Rose-shows of the metropolis, 125.

Roses at Lord Rosebery's marriage, 63.

Roses, judging, National Society's rules for, 120.

Roses, variegated-leaved, 64; Mr. W. Paul's new, 30.

Sadlkria cyatheoides (woodcut), 2.

Sarracenia, a new hybrid, at Glasnevin, 95.

Savoys, new, 24.

Saxifraga flagellaris, 188; S. calyciflora, 95; B.

pnrpurascens, 80.
Scale, paraffin for destruction of, 112 ; screw pine,

30.
Seasons, our, 6.
Seed germination, 122.
Selaginella Victoriee (woodcut), 90.
Shrubs for sea-shore planting, 127.
Sim, Robert, death of, 14 1 .
Slug-guard, 111.
Slugs, means of getting rid of, 176 ; great enemies

in a mild winter, 84.
Smith's Ferns, British and Foreign, noticed, 16.
Snail-guard, 111.
Societies : —
Royal Horticultural, annual meeting, 47; Com-
mittee meetings, 80, 63, 80, 95, 110, 125, 143,
160, 175, 187 ; appointment of Assistant-Secre-
tary, 80 ; Preston, Provincial show of, (woodcut)
125.
Royal Botanic, meetings of, in 1878, 80; Rose

show, 125.
Royal Caledonian, annual meeting of, 16.
Royal Manchester Botanic and HorticnUnral,
meetings of, 30 ; Whitsun show of, 111.

Societies (continued) : —

Richmond Horticultural, 48, 127.
National Auricula (Northern section) : meeting
of, 82 ; prize schedule, 68; annual show of, 91. —
(Southern Section) : annual meeting, 15 ; prize
schedule, 47 ; annual show of, 77.
National Carnation and Picotee (Northern Sec-
tion) : meeting of, 32 ; annual show of, 127, 137.
— (Southern Section): meeting of, 16 ; annual
show of, 95, 123.
National Rose, 16, 80, 95, 125, 187.
Pelargonium : annual show of, 101 ; annual meet-
ing of, 143.
RoysJ National Tulip : meeting of, 32 ; annual
show of, 80, 103.
Solanums, berried, for market, 183.
Sophronitis coccinca, 6-4 ; S. grandiflora, 64.
Spanish Chestnut, most remarkable in England, 188.
Spiraea palmata elegans, (col. plate) 41.
Stephanotis floribunda, 188.
Stokesia oyanea for market, 183.
Stove, Tebbs* universal, 180.
Strawberry, Loxford Hall Seedling, 23.
Sutton's Amateurs' Guide in Horticulture for 1878,

15.
Sweet WiUiams, note on, 62.
Sycamore timber, 48.
Syringa chinensis, 127 ; S. persica, 127.

Table Decoration, a hint, 40.

Talks about plants, notice of, 187.

Thomson, Dr. T., death of, 96.

Thozct, M. A., death of, 14^4.

Todea plnmosa, 128.

Tomato, effect of coal-ashes on, 81; hybrid, 31;

new, 24.
Torenia Bailloni, 148 ; T. Foumierf, 188.
Tree-feller, Ransomes' steam, (woodcut) 86.
Trees and Shrubs, transplanting large valuable, 59.
Tulips for market, 26.
Tulip-showing, a gossip on, 83.

Variegated-leaved plants, 47.

Vegetables, new, 23.

Verdier, Philippe Victor, death of, 48.

Villa Gardening: January, 14; February, 27;
March, 45; April, 61; May, 78** June, 94; July,
109; Augfust, 121; September, 141; October,
168; November, 173; December, 186.

Vine, Great, at the Viceregal Lodge, Phoenix
Park, 16.

Vines and Vine-culture : formation of borders, soil,
Ac., 161.

Vine borders of light loam, how to prepare, 176.

Vines, planting, in summer, 9; potash manures
for, 30.

Violet (new double white) Belle de Chatenay, 48.

Violets (double), Italian, (woodcut), 69.

Visiani, Professor, death of, 96.

Wallichia zebrina, 80.

WaUis, M. Gustav, death of, 176.

Walls, glass copings for, 22.

Wheeler, George, death of, 112.

Willow plantation, 31.

Windebank, W., jun., death of, 176.

Wood's Good Gardening, notice of, 63.

Woodwardia radicans cristata (woodcut), 21.

WooUey, Samuel, death of, 64.

Xkronema Moorei, 110.

Yew, golden, sport of, 31.

Yucca bacoata, 14^1; Y. filamentosa variogota,
culture of, 87.

Zamia corrugata, 63; Z. lucida, 63.

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